HAMPSHIRE gained a useful first innings lead against Durham thanks partly to a confident display by debut boy Ryan Stevenson, batting at number ten.

He made 30 and shared a last-wicket stand of 32 with Fidel Edwards before skying a catch to mid-on when his side were 38 ahead with the total on 251.

Dumped on his backside by the second ball he faced, a bouncer from John Hastings, Stevenson looked supremely comfortable when the ball was pitched up and drove powerfully.

He had already shown his capabilities when Sean Ervine slogged across a straight ball and was bowled for 47 to give James Weighell his maiden first-class wicket.

Weighell dropped Edwards on eight before catching Stevenson off the next ball to give Chris Rushworth his only wicket as Graham Onions and Hastings took four each.

Ervine put on 48 for the sixth wicket with Adam Wheater before the wicketkeeper was lbw to Onions for 25.

Ryan McLaren continued his successful Hampshire debut by making 30 before Hastings yorked him, then Gareth Berg played back and edged to second slip.

Hastings finished with four for 49 and Onions four for 61.