TOM Westley and Michael Pepper shared a match-saving 215-run partnership for the sixth wicket, rescuing Essex from a likely defeat against Hampshire in the County Championship.

Coming together at 131-5, still 26 runs behind Hampshire’s first-innings lead of 157, the pair batted for nearly three and a half hours to turn the tide. Westley played the anchor role with a marathon 130* off 322 balls, while Pepper counterattacked with a career-best 140 from just 154 balls, including 20 fours and a six.

Their efforts ensured Essex avoided what would have been their third Championship defeat of the season. When handshakes were exchanged at 4.50pm, Essex had safely navigated to a draw, thanks in large part to the contrasting centuries from their sixth-wicket duo.

Westley, who had struggled for runs this season, produced an innings of immense patience and discipline. The Essex captain batted for all but 12 of the 119 overs Essex faced in their second innings, marking his 30th red-ball century. He added only 20 runs from 65 balls in the morning session and reached his hundred with a lofted drive off Liam Dawson.

Pepper, by contrast, injected momentum into the innings with attacking strokeplay. After a cautious start, he accelerated with 15 runs off a James Fuller over and reached his half-century from just 43 deliveries. The fifty partnership came in 11 overs, with Pepper scoring 42 of them. He went on to match Westley on 108, reaching the figure in 152 balls fewer.

His second century of the season came with an edge to third man off Eddie Jack and was the high point of his aggressive approach. The stand was finally broken when Pepper attempted to hit Tom Prest out of the ground but was caught by Kyle Abbott at long leg.

Earlier in the day, Hampshire had hoped to press for victory. Essex resumed still needing 49 runs to avoid an innings defeat, and Liam Dawson struck early by trapping Matt Critchley lbw for 19. Critchley had battled for 90 minutes and managed just a single run in the first 29 balls of the day, setting the tone for a tense morning.

Dawson bowled 41 overs in the innings, finishing with 4-82, but could not break the Westley-Pepper stand. Charlie Allison added two fours in a 31-ball stay before pulling Dawson to short midwicket just before lunch.

After the break, Westley’s strike rate improved as he moved from 70 to his century, while Pepper continued to dominate. Their partnership passed 100, then 150, and ultimately 200 in 54 overs, taking the game out of Hampshire’s reach.

Despite the early promise for the visitors, Essex’s resilience ensured they held on for a hard-earned draw at Chelmsford, while Hampshire secured 14 points for their efforts ahead of taking on Worcestershire at Utilita Bowl on Sunday.