HAMPSHIRE captain Will Smith admitted "every point is crucial" after his side was saved by rain on the final day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Somerset at The Ageas Bowl.

No play was possible, so Hampshire came away with a draw, having closed on 173-4 in their second innings when the rain first set in Tuesday afternoon.

They were 82 behind Somerset’s 474-8 declared, having been bowled out for 219 in their first innings, when rain wiped out the game's remaining 136 overs Hampshire took eight points from the game to Somerset’s 13.

Captain Will Smith said: “Points are massive in our situation. Last year we saw the benefit of scraping through games we were perhaps on the wrong side of and that really helped us out at the end of the season.

“The weather, whether we deserved it or not, has come and we have got those extra five points, which are massive.”

Both other division one games were drawn, with Nottinghamshire also taking eight points from their match against Warwickshire.

So there is little change at the foot of the first division.

After four draws from the first seven of their 16 games, Hampshire are now 14 points behind second-from-bottom Surrey, with a game in hand, and 22 behind Notts, who have played two more.

Smith continued: “Every point is crucial. We are looking to finish as high up the table as we possibly can. It isn’t just about getting points to stave off relegation.

“We are well aware we can’t get ourselves into those positions again. We have to make sure we are ahead of the game.”

Smith’s 89-run opening partnership with Jimmy Adams in the first innings, and an improved performance in the second, were the positives for Hampshire.

“It was the second session on day one which set us back on a good wicket," said Smith. "We were well under par in the first innings. But while we aren’t getting the weight of runs, everyone seems to be playing well.

“I know there are only so many time you can say that because we’ve got to get hundreds - as batsmen that’s what we’re paid to do.

“But everyone seems to be in a good place. It’s just about getting over that final hurdle and making sure that mentally we’re striving to get big scores.

Next up for Hampshire is a trip to Durham, Smith’s former county, this weekend.

Meanwhile, the last day of Hampshire’s Second Eleven Championship match against Glamorgan at Neath was also abandoned without a ball bowled.