Alex Richardson hit a splendid 75 but was unable to save Hampshire Under-16s from a `first innings' defeat by Essex in the opening Seven Counties Championship match at Billericay.

Doug Bellchamber (37) gave Richardson valued support, but Hampshire (170 all out) fell 69 runs short of the Essex first innings score of 239 (Will Dawson 3-67).

Essex made 152-4 in the second innings.

Hampshire Under-16s play Surrey in a two-day match at Cove on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Hampshire : Alex Richardson (Locks Heath)(Captain), Graham Noble (BAT Sports), Kevin Latouf (Flamingos), Peter Hammond (Sarisbury Athletic), James Manning (Andover), Michael Boyd (Locks Heath), Doug Bellchamber (Portsmouth), Will Dawson (Andover), Rhys Oxley (Winchester KS), Simon Orr (Sarisbury Athletic), Nick Priddle (Winchester KS), Matt Freeman (New Milton), Mike Bednall (Rowledge).

© Hampshire YC