Hampshire closed the gap on Somerset to 82 by reaching 173-4 before rain ended play on the penultimate day of their Specsavers County Championship match at The Ageas Bowl.

Tom Alsop (53) made his second County Championship half-century this morning.

After beginning the penultimate day on 18-1, the young left-hander added a further 71 with Will Smith, before their second-wicket stand ended at 89.

Alsop edged Peter Trego to Marcus Trescothick, the solitary slip fielder stationed at second.

He faced 101 balls and hit six fours.

Michael Carberry made 17 of the 23 runs added before lunch, only for captain Smith to play on against the fourth ball after the interval, from Lewis Gregory (3-26).

When Liam Dawson (3) edged Gregory to second-slip Trescothick four overs later, Hampshire were 121-4.

But Carberry (37*) and Sean Ervine (34*) put on an unbroken 52 before the forecast rain arrived at 3.20pm, ending play for the day.

Somerset bowling: C Overton 12-3-21-0, Gregory 13-4-26-3, J Overton 9.4-1-35-0, Leach 17-3-36-0, Allenby 5-1-23-0, Trego 6-2-19-1, Myburgh 2-1-2-0.