HAMPSHIRE broke their Vitality Blast duck by registering a 21-run victory over Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl on Friday.

And they followed up by claiming a thrilling tie against Essex at Chelmsford on Saturday.

Colin Munro plundered 63 from 40 balls as Hampshire posted 184 against Middlesex.

And two wickets apiece for Munro (2-20) and Chris Wood (2-33) helped restrict the visitors to 163 for nine.

Sam Northeast hit an unbeaten 73 from 50 balls as Hampshire totalled 170 for five against Essex.

And Wood (3-27) was again among the wickets as Essex replied with 170 for eight with Ravi Bopara run out off the last ball.

Northeast said: β€œIt felt like a strange game. You play for so long and you get one point each – we could have flipped a coin and gone home then!

"But it was a really good game, high on quality and excitement. I felt we were a little short, but then we took early wickets and put us in front for a bit.

β€œA tie is better than coming away with a loss. The important thing is we are playing better cricket. And that bodes well for the rest of the competition."

Hampshire, who lost their first three games in the competition, face Middlesex at Lord's on Thursday.