By Martin Smith
June 22-25, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Essex 296 (Allison 101, Critchley 71, Abbott 5-26) & 358-6 dec (Pepper 140, Westley 130*, Dawson 4-82)
Hampshire 453 (Dawson 139, Varma 100, Middleton 61, Critchley 4-102)
Match Drawn • Points: Essex 10, Hampshire 14
Toss: Essex won the toss and decided to bat Officials: Rob Bailey, James Middlebrook, Peter Such
Tom Westley and Michael Pepper combined for a 215-run sixth-wicket partnership that frustrated Hampshire and ultimately saved Essex from suffering their County Championship defeat of the se…