Dragons breathing down neck of Royals in NUL

It's hotting up at the top of the Norwich Union League.

Glamorgan Dragons have earned themselves a great chance of lifting the trophy with a 21-run win over Yorkshire Phoenix at Cardiff.

A fine all-round performance from Robert Croft, who followed his brisk 37 as Dragons' opener with three wickets, was key to their victory. But Dean Cosker's contribution (4-17) was also vital in helping to bowl out the visitors for 153 - despite a swashbuckling 55 from pinch-hitter Chris Silverwood.

Earlier the rain delayed Dragons innings was reduced to just 22 overs after a further shower interrupted their innings in the 14th over. Ian Thomas and Croft's opening stand of 84 proved vital in a low-scoring game.

Meanwhile at Canterbury Kent Spitfires cruised to a 126-run victory over Somerset Sabres.

A fine 83 by Ed Smith was the mainstay of the Spitfires innings. They had seemed precariously placed at 58-3 when Symonds was lbw to Steffan Jones for two. But a partnership of 95 for the fourth wicket with Matt Walker (45) steadied the ship against a Sabres side missing the rested Caddick and Johnson. A late thrash from Mark Ealham (an unbeaten 44 from just 28 balls, with two sixes and four fours) took the total to 238-6.

The Sabres, desperate to put together a string of wins to take them away from the relegation mire, were soon reduced to 33-4 with Martin Saggers (3-21) the chief destroyer. The run out of Jamie Cox was the final straw and Sabres fell away alarmingly to be all out for just 112.

Spitfires, the reigning champions, take the four points and still have an outside chance of retaining this trophy. Relegation beckons for Sabres.

Neil Killeen took an impressive four for 12 off his nine to help Durham Dynamos to a much-needed victory over Leicestershire Foxes.

Half-centuries for Darren Stevens and Vince Wells helped the Foxes to a respectable 230 all out. But with three Dynamos batsmen hitting half-centuries (Michael Gough, Gary Pratt and Jonathan Lewis) they made light of losing Peng to the second ball of the innings to secure victory with more than an over to spare.

Dynamos retain slim survival hopes in the top division, while the Foxes will feel the breath of the pursuing pack just a little more keenly after this loss.

In the second division Kevin Dean's 4-33 for Derbyshire Scorpions limited Essex Eagles to 209-7 from their 45 overs. Eagles had been 39-3, but a stubborn 52 from Andy Flower and Jon Dakin, who contributed a brisk 45 not out at the end, helped the visitors to a competitive total which proved too much for the Scorpions.

Di Venuto went early when they began their reply, lbw to Ronnie Irani, before the same bowler dismissed his opening partner, Bassano. None of the Scorpions batsmen could settle - with Luke Sutton's 29 representing the highest score - and they were eventually dismissed for 160. The Eagles take the four points for the 49-run victory, but both sides have little chance of winning promotion.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks brushed aside Middlesex Crusaders at Lord's, winning by 214 runs. Mike Hussey hit an excellent 110 for Steelbacks, adding 125 for the first wicket with Mal Loye (56). Jeff Cook then provided some late acceleration with 61 off 37 balls with three fours and four sixes to take the score to an imposing 286-7 from their 45 overs.

Owais Shah and Ben Hutton both hit hundreds in the last few days, but could manage only five between them today as the Crusaders were soon 6-3 and then 17-4 in reply. There was no fight-back as Crusaders capitulated for just 72, with Darren Cousins taking 5-22 - career-best one-day figures.

Steelbacks promotion prospects are improved further, while Crusaders must consider themselves outsiders in the chase for a first division place.