JAMES Vince’s third LV= County Championship century of the season saw Hampshire put themselves in a promising position on a rain-shortened first day in their Division Two meeting with Worcestershire at New Road.

Vince and Liam Dawson were both dropped at first slip by Moeen Ali as their partnership of 158 took the south coast side to 197 for three when play ended with 43 overs lost because of bad light and rain.

Vince had made only four when he was given a crucial let-off and the cost mounted as he played with increasing conviction for an unbeaten 106 packed with 18 fours and a six from 148 balls.

On a gloomy morning, Worcestershire were clearly expecting helpful bowling conditions when Daryl Mitchell won the toss and they were rewarded straightaway when Jimmy Adams was caught behind off Alan Richardson’s third ball.

The Hampshire captain was dismissed for his seventh duck in 21 championship innings in an all-or-nothing season in which he scored 219 not out when Worcestershire were beaten at the Ageas Rose Bowl in April.

Adams came into the return fixture on the back of another double century against Northamptonshire last week but it was a different story as Hampshire struggled in a sustained opening spell of two for 33 by Richardson.

The 38-year-old seamer kept the batsmen under pressure for 14 overs and claimed his 61st championship wicket of the season when Moeen held his first chance of the day from Michael Roberts (13).

Hampshire would have become for 38 for three if Moeen had taken a fairly straightforward edge from Vince.

Graeme Cessford was the unlucky bowler and, to stoke up his frustration, he conceded four consecutive boundaries to Vince in his next over.

With momentum quickly shifting in Hampshire’s favour, Vince moved to 50 from 77 balls but Moeen also dropped Dawson off Richardson shortly before the all-rounder reached a half-century, containing only three fours.

Play was held up for 50 minutes after lunch and on the resumption runs flowed at an alarming rate for Worcestershire.

Even when they managed to break the partnership it was only in the middle of an onslaught on Cessford.

In an action-paced over, Dawson (70) pulled a six and was then run out by Ross Whiteley from cover. This brought Vince back on strike with 92 to his name and he swept past his hundred with a pull for six and two fours from the next four balls.