Kent keep up title pressure with victory over Somerset

The rain may have interrupted play in many games in the Frizzell County Championship, but there was still time for some fascinating cricket - and a couple of results that could turn out to be crucial in the final promotion and relegation battle.

At Canterbury Kent won by 153 runs. The day started with Mark Ealham (60) and Min Patel (a career-best 71 not out) extending their over-night stand to 70, before Kent declared their innings on 286-7.

Somerset were set 331 to win, but were soon in trouble on 38-4, with Martin Saggers removing the cream of the batting: Cox; Burns and Bowler. Parsons (52) and Turner (35) hinted at survival in a stand of 56, but once they fell victory for Kent was a formality. Saggers finished with 5-42.

Kent, who remain second in the table, take 17 points to sustain their title challenge, while Somerset, who take just four points from this game, have a real fight on their hands if they are to avoid relegation.

For the second day in a row there was no play at Old Trafford between Lancashire and Hampshire, with the visitors still stuck on 84-7 in reply to the hosts 163 all out. With one day left in the match a result is now unlikely.

Weather permitting there should be an exciting finish at Hove, with Sussex 85-2 in pursuit of 287 to beat top of the table Surrey.

The day began with Surrey's new boy, Mushtaq Ahmed, thrashing 47 in just 31 balls to help his side set a really competitive total. And, with Murray Goodwin on 42 not out it promises to be an intriguing contest, despite the setbacks of losing Montgomerie and Cottey and only just over 30 overs being possible in the day.

The other first division game was between Yorkshire and Warwickshire in Leeds. Yorkshire, the current champions, are desperate for their first win of the season to stave off the embarrassment of relegation, but it was not to be as this rain effected match ended in a draw.

Yorkshire extended their first innings lead to 80, and would have hoped to put Warwickshire under pressure, but had to settle for 10 points as the visitors batting stood firm.

Nick Knight continued his sensational form with another century, to take his first-class average well in excess of 100, while Ian Bell rediscovered his touch with a patient 55 not out as Warwickshire finished on 216-4. They take eight points.

In the second division Glamorgan and Gloucestershire drew their severely rain affected game at Cardiff. Mike Powell completed his century, finishing with 135, before Robert Croft hit an unbeaten 101 to help his side to 407. Ian Harvey and Mike Smith each took four wickets.

Gloucestershire played out time to finish on 7-0 against part-time bowlers. They take 11 points, while Glamorgan take 12. Both teams have plenty to do if they are to secure promotion.

Elsewhere Essex did their promotion hoped the power of good with a victory by 140 runs over Derbyshire.

The day started with Essex taking their innings to 324 all out, with Darren Robinson striking 115. Derbyshire were therefore set 292 to win but never looked like getting close to the target, subsiding to 151 all out. Joe Grant took 4-45

Essex take 17 points and leapfrog Derbyshire in the promotion race.

Meanwhile Northants and Middlesex saw out a draw at Lord's. The hosts declared their innings on 400-4, with Owais Shah taking his score to 172 not out. They then bowled out Northants for 231, with Phil Tufnell taking three wickets and Ben Hutton adding a couple of wickets to his century. But too much time had been lost to rain to force a result and Middlesex had to be content with 12 bonus points. Northants took six.

In the other unfinished game in the second division Graeme Hick hit yet another first-class century (the 120th of his remarkable career) to put his side in a strong position against Nottinghamshire. Hick finished the day on 126 from just 153 balls and has helped extend his side's lead to 293.

Greg Smith struck twice early on to before Hick and Ben Smith (65) added 160 for the third wicket.

Earlier Matt Mason had taken three more wickets to finish with 5-50 (a career-best performance) as Notts were dismissed for 161 in reply to Worcestershire's 201. Paul Johnson was left stranded on 52 not out for the visitors.