Bears and Phoenix top on points after exciting round of NUL matches

Warwickshire Bears remain top of the NUL after Shaun Pollock's all-round excellence secured an 85-run victory over Notts Outlaws. The South African followed his belligerent innings of 70 with 3-12 as his side made it two NUL wins in two this season.

It was a one-sided encounter at New Road as Worcestershire Royals prospered against a weakened Somerset Sabres side. The hosts soon recovered from losing Solanki to the first ball of the day as Anurag Singh and Ben Smith compiled half-centuries and David Leatherdale and Steve Rhodes chipped in with valuable cameos. Kabir Ali then ran through the visitors with 4-15 including the key wickets of Bowler and Cox as the Sabres were humbled by 127 runs.

In Cardiff Glamorgan Dragons did well to defend a meagre total of 161-8 against Durham. Welsh supporters will thank Mike Powell for his patient 47 not out and a partnership with Mark Wallace (34) of 58 for giving their bowlers something to defend. And Michael Kasprowicz responded brilliantly by cutting down the Dynamos top order with 4-28 as his side secured a 20-run victory.

Darren Lehmann steadied his side with another match-winning performance at Canterbury. His unbeaten 69 (98 balls with four boundaries) saw his side to a five-wicket win. Earlier the Spitfires had fought back from a dire start thanks mainly to a fine half-century from Matt Walker. And with Yorkshire Phoenix wobbling at 64-4 they were indebted to their captain for his knock that leaves them equal on points - but just behind on run-rate - at the top of the table.

In the second division a wonderful all-round game from Jon Lewis saw his Gloucestershire Gladiators side clinch a one-wicket victory over Surrey Lions at Bristol. The day's most exciting game saw Lewis (27 including a six) add 18 for the final wicket with Mike Smith to thwart an excellent effort by Surrey Lions' opening bowlers Martin Bicknell and Ed Giddins. Earlier Lewis had taken 4-22 including the key wicket of Mark Ramprakash as the Lions had struggled to 163-9 in their 45 overs. It was a tough result on Giddins in particular, who bowled with real skill and batted with uncharacteristic resilience in adding 32 in a last-wicket partnership with Jon Batty (28 not out) that so nearly won his side the game.

Elsewhere Ashley Cowan and Andy Clarke each snared a three-wicket haul to limit Derbyshire Scorpions to 155 all out. Essex Eagles knocked off the runs without undue difficulty to secure a seven-wicket vistory.

Meanwhile Northants Steelbacks cantered to victory against Middlesex Crusaders. Darren Cousins was the start for the hosts with 4-13 including a hostile opening spell that saw the visitors slip to 10-3; a postion from which they never really recovered. Although the Steelbacks endured a sticky start to their reply, David Sales (66 off 79 balls) and Mike Hussey (56 off 83 balls) then added 109 for the third wicket to take their side within sight of victory.

Stuart Law built on the good work of Lancashire Lightning team-mates Peter Martin and John Wood with an innings of 71 with five fours and two sixes. Earlier Martin (2-22) and Wood (3-21) had bowled out Sussex Sharks for just 160. But a good effort from the Sharks' seamers saw Lightning endure some nervous moments before the vastly experienced Law saw them home.