BEARS DRAW HANDS LANCS TITLE

Warwickshire had to settle for second place in the Championship as they could only draw with relegated Hampshire.

Going into the final day as favourites to lift their first title since 2004, Warwickshire were pipped by Lancashire, who beat Somerset by eight wickets.

Resuming on 43-3, Neil McKenzie (115 no) and Michael Carberry (111) helped Hampshire turn around a 126-run deficit at the start of play to close on 327-7.

Chris Metters (5-115) took the second five-wicket haul of his career.

Warwickshire began the day very much in the driving seat but their main obstacle became McKenzie and Carberry.

The pair, who combined in a record-breaking partnership of 523 against Yorkshire last month, shared a stand of 182 for the fourth wicket.

Carberry's 168-ball innings was finally ended when he was trapped lbw by Chris Woakes, while James Vince hit a six and five fours in making 33.

Sean Ervine joined McKenzie to frustrate Warwickshire and the latter moved to his third Championship hundred of the season after tea from 211 balls.

Metters removed Ervine and Michael Bates in successive balls to reduce the hosts from 316-5 to 316-7, but it was too little too late and the captains shook hands on a draw with Hampshire 158 runs ahead.

Photos from the final day at the Rose Bowl can be viewed online HERE.