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Hampshire celebrate their Division Two title victory at Cardiff

LV= County Championship Division Two, Swalec Stadium Hampshire 357 & 258-9d beat Glamorgan 172 & 152 by 291 runs Hampshire 23 pts, Glamorgan 3 pts Match scorecard

Hampshire clinched promotion and the Division Two title with a 291-run win over Glamorgan, helped by a stunning bowling display from James Tomlinson.

Hampshire began the final round of fixtures knowing victory in Cardiff would secure a return to Division One.

Their success, coupled with an innings defeat for Worcestershire at Essex, ensured they finished as champions.

Tomlinson took a season's best 6-48 as Glamorgan, chasing an improbable 444 to win, were bowled out for 152.

The bearded James Tomlinson took the first six wickets to fall in Glamorgan's second innings at Cardiff

The 32-year-old left-arm seamer accounted for Glamorgan's top six batsmen and was on course to claim all 10 second-innings wickets until Matt Coles bowled Graham Wagg to leave Welsh side 86-7.

Aneurin Donald, making his first-class debut for Glamorgan, struck a brisk half-century from 52 balls, reaching the milestone by hitting South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir for a straight six.

But the efforts of the 17-year-old, who made 59 before he became the ninth wicket to fall, merely delayed the inevitable and Tahir bowled Kieran Bull five balls later to complete a convincing victory.

Hampshire back in the top flight Hampshire were relegated from Division One in 2011 and finished fourth in two consecutive seasons before securing their return to the Championship's top flight in 2014

Earlier, Hampshire went in search of quick runs to set up a declaration on the third morning as they resumed their second innings on 175-3.

Although they lost wickets regularly, they added 83 in 13 overs to set an imposing target for the hosts, who were almost resigned to defeat following Tomlinson's excellent opening burst.

Hampshire would have been pipped to the second promotion spot by Essex had they failed to win in Cardiff, but they can now look forward to the prospect of returning to the Championship's top division for the first time since 2011.

Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams told BBC Radio Solent:

"When we were 53-5 on the first morning there were serious doubts, but we have found ways of digging ourselves out of holes and getting crucial draws.

"Kyle Abbott was a huge part of that early effort but everyone has chipped in. It's been three years of hard work and it's nice to be back and get a taste of Division One cricket. It's a brilliant feeling."

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James:

"Hampshire beat Glamorgan rather more easily than they thought. James Tomlinson's season-best figures ripped the heart out of the home side's batting.

"Over the season, Hampshire haven't always played the best cricket, but they have battled hard. They are a close unit and it has stood them in good stead. They have scraped draws when other sides would have folded.

"Crucially, those extra points gained here and there have been the difference over a rampant Essex side and a faltering Worcestershire one."