A see-saw match at Taunton petered out into a tame draw after Hampshire had been set 422 to win from 82 overs.

The visitors closed on 198-1, having made no attempt to reach an unlikely target, though Michael Brown made light of a bad finger to finish 104 not out.

Somerset had declared their second innings on 654-6, a lead of 421 runs.

Zander de Bruyn fell two short of a first ton for his new club, while Peter Trego hit 84, but the home bowlers could not force home the advantage.

The home side had been 21 for six in their first innings so it was hardly surprising that skipper Justin Langer took few risks with his declaration, having led the fightback with his 188 on Friday.

Resuming on 559-5, Somerset gave De Bruyn and Trego license to hit out and it looked like the South African Kolpak signing would reach a maiden century for Somerset until he fell lbw playing across the line to Sean Ervine.

It was not until gone midday that Langer declared and by then Hampshire had no intention of chasing the victory target.

Brown and Jimmy Adams gave an indication of what was to come by putting on just 31 from the first 15 overs of their innings.

Leg-spinner Michael Munday broke through when Adams was caught by Marcus Trescothick at slip for 49 with Hampshire's score on 99.

But it was the only alarm of the visitors' innings and play was called shortly after Brown had brought up his century including 13 fours off 231 balls, with Langer and Neil Edwards bowling the last few redundant overs.