Sussex defeated but remain top

Division Two

Points Table

Durham failed to post a challenging total for Somerset, on another excellent pitch at Taunton, as Somerset cruised to victory by five wickets to retain hopes of promotion. Opening the bowling for Somerset, the left-armer Robert Woodman, who made his debut, bowled a superb length and consistently troubled Durham's batsmen, particular the left-handers, with late swing. Dale Benkenstein hit an unbeaten 60, and Mike Hussey 43, but Somerset set about the target of 223 with aggression. Man-of-the-match Matt Wood hit an attractive 76 from 80 balls, and despite Gareth Breese picking up two wickets, Somerset walked home with two-and-a-half overs to spare.

Leicestershire nearly slipped up against Sussex, but a defiant 92 from Dinesh Mongia saw the home side through by five wickets, with seven balls to spare. Sussex crashed to 44 for 4, but rebuilt through Mike Yardy, 58, and Carl Hopkinson who made 39. Veteran Ottis Gibson took 4-39. Leicestershire in reply then lost 101 for 4, and when Snape was out (102 for 5), Sussex's score of 186 suddenly looked more than reasonable. Mongia stood firm, however, striking eight fours and a six as Leicestershire moved into second place of Division Two. Despite the loss, Sussex remain top.