Will Smith's second century of a golden season for Durham enabled his side to build an improving first innings total at the Rose Bowl.

Durham's captain batted with typical diligence right through the second day before he was out in the penultimate over for 150 made in almost six and a half hours.

Relegation-threatened Hampshire, desperately needing to win to stay in Division One, had little chance against Smith on a wicket which offered them no hope except for some slow turn for spinners Imran Tahir and Danny Briggs.

At the close Durham, having lost all but 29 overs to rain on the first day, were powerfully placed to continue their unbeaten run at 435 for nine.

Durham resumed the second day at 95 for one and made Hampshire work hard for their few successes, three of which came in the morning session.

Michael Di Venuto added only a single to his overnight 61 when he was leg before to Dominic Cork for 99.

Teenage left-arm spinner Briggs dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul for four at 110 and there was further success for the young Isle of Wight-born bowler when he sent back Dale Benkenstein at 152.

But then Smith was joined by Ian Blackwell in a stand of 109 for the fifth wicket to wrest control from the Hampshire bowlers.

Blackwell was the quicker of the two, hitting eight boundaries in his 56 before Tahir had him picked up at short leg by Jimmy Adams.

The wicket was Tahir's 50th of the season in first-class matches and renewed hope for Hampshire just as the game appeared to be drifting away from them.

But Phil Mustard and Liam Plunkett each made useful contributions as Smith dug in at the other end.

Mustard was caught at short leg again by Adams off Tahir for 35 and Plunkett was leg before with the total on 376.

By then Smith, whose other hundred this season was against Sussex, had reached his century off 232 balls.

Just when it looked Smith would go through the day without offering even a chance, he lifted a short delivery from David Griffiths to long leg where Tahir held the catch.

Smith's vigil included 16 fours and a six off Tahir in 325 balls.

Durham's day was only slightly marred when Mark Davies was out in the next over, the last of the day, caught at short leg to give Tahir his fourth wicket.

Tahir finished the day with figures of four for 131 from almost 35 overs while Briggs took three for 126 from 38 as Hampshire toiled.