Surrey slipped to a disappointing defeat against Hampshire on an agonising final day at Arundel.
Fast bowler James Fuller (4-17) dismissed Laurie Evans, Gus Atkinson and Morne Morkel in successive deliveries to take Hampshire’s first hat-trick since South African Kyle Abbott completed the feat against Worcestershire two years ago.
It came as Hampshire bowled Surrey out for 74 to win by an innings and 52 runs.
Hampshire have now won back-to-back matches in the competition and took 21 points from the contest, while Surrey claimed three.
After the day started with a rain delay, Hampshire lost wickets quickly without boosting their lead considerably – as they were bowled out for 298.
But their plans were put back on track thanks to some clinical bowling with the new ball – which built pressure – before Fuller produced the magic moment.
Brad Wheal made the first breakthrough when Ryan Patel nicked behind to Lewis McManus.
Tom Alsop made amends for earlier butterfingers at slip by holding a chance off Mark Stoneman’s edge.
Will Jacks quickly followed when he was lbw to Ian Holland, who took a six-wicket haul in the first innings.
It then took Mason Crane two deliveries to show off his danger when he pinned Scott Borthwick in front, to leave Surrey 27 for four. That became 39 for five when Jason Roy was lbw to Fuller after tea.
It was a precursor for what was to come as Fuller quickly took the game by the scruff of the neck.
The all-rounder had only bowled two overs in the first innings but showed promise by starting his second innings spell with two maidens.
Then he burst into life with the 19th hat-trick in Hampshire history.
The South African-born New Zealander’s pace did for Sussex loanee Evans, who nicked to Alsop at first slip, before Atkinson was lbw and Morkel turned around to find his off-stump two yards back while leaving.
After a gutsy seven-over blockout from Matt Dunn and Jamie Smith, the former was adjudged lbw to the leggie.
And Hampshire’s victory was confirmed when Amar Virdi went the same way to Crane (3-19).
Earlier, Alsop had scored a half century on day three but fell to Virdi for 87 when he edged to Scott Borthwick at first slip.
Harry Came fell two balls later when he was pinned on the crease, before Dunn had Fuller plumb in front with the first ball of the next over and Holland soon chopped on to his own stumps.
Lewis McManus picked out Jason Roy on the square-leg boundary, while debutant Tom Scriven was bowled attempting to smash off-spinner Virdi over cow corner.
Virdi now has 14 wickets in the Bob Willis Trophy – the second-best haul for a spinner in the country – after his six for 101.
Dunn rounded off the innings by sending Wheal’s middle stump cart-wheeling, although Crane had played a good hand with a shot-a-ball 25 not out.
