Hampshire 181 for 5 (McDermott 64, Vince 41, Prest 41) defeated Essex 174 for 7 (Allison 69, Benkenstein 54, Turner 4-23) by seven runs
Hampshire Hawks' fast bowler John Turner delivered his best T20 figures to eliminate Essex from the Vitality Blast. Essex, who were runners-up in 2023, needed only a point at the Utilita Bowl to surpass Gloucestershire into fourth place, but Turner’s 4 for 23 dashed their hopes.
Ben McDermott’s impressive 64, along with 41 runs each from James Vince and Tom Prest, helped Hampshire set a defendable total of 181. Essex found themselves in trouble at 58 for 5, but teenagers Luc Benkenstein and Charlie Allison struck maiden T20 half-centuries, putting together an 86-run partnership. Turner’s return in the final overs sealed Essex's fate, as Hampshire clinched a seven-run victory, marking their fourth win in an otherwise disappointing competition.
Vince and McDermott gave the Hawks a strong start, forming a season-high first-wicket partnership of 97 after being put in to bat. McDermott, who had only scored 173 runs in this season’s Blast before this match, showcased a mix of powerful and inventive shots to reach his 39-ball fifty, his 10th in three seasons with Hampshire. Vince fell nine runs short of his fifty, bowled by Benkenstein, but Prest’s explosive 21-ball innings, including 18 runs off Paul Walter in one over, kept the momentum going.
Aiming for a total of 200, Hampshire’s progress was halted by Shane Snater’s double-wicket over in the 16th, which removed McDermott and Benny Howell. Walter later dismissed Prest, and Liam Dawson fell similarly, pulling to deep fine leg. Joe Weatherley and Toby Albert added 25 runs in the final two overs, pushing the hosts to a total Essex would have felt confident chasing.
However, Essex's chase faltered from the start. Adam Rossington edged behind off the first ball, and Chris Wood removed Dean Elgar, taking two wickets in the opening over. Wood then passed the ball to Turner, who also began with two wickets in an over. Michael Pepper was caught and bowled, Walter was caught at short third, and Matt Critchley’s dismissal gave Turner figures of 3 for 6 after two overs.
Essex needed a recovery, and 19-year-olds Benkenstein and Allison stepped up. Benkenstein, who had previously led Essex to victory against Glamorgan, supported Allison’s attacking innings. Allison’s whipped six and powerful hitting over long-on highlighted his 37-ball fifty, his first in T20s, having previously scored only 50 runs in total. Benkenstein also reached his maiden T20 fifty four balls quicker, as their partnership grew to 86 runs.
With 38 runs needed off 18 balls, Benkenstein’s scoop shot ended his innings, and Turner clean-bowled Simon Harmer for his fourth wicket. Turner’s penultimate over conceded just six runs, leaving 15 required off the final over, which Wood defended successfully, despite Allison’s valiant unbeaten 69.