Essex win a thriller at Lord's

Irfan Pathan claimed three wickets for Middlesex but could not stop Essex edging home © Getty Images

Ryan ten Doeschate completed an extraordinary personnel game as he guided Essex to a thrilling one-wicket win against Middlesex at Lord's. ten Doeschate made 51 from 41 balls as Essex squeezed home with two balls to spare. Darren Gough helped him secure the win, adding 26 for the last wicket. Irfan Pathan, who had earlier bowled well to take three wickets, could not seal the game for Middlesex in the final over. ten Doeschate's innings made up for his bowling performance when his only over cost 25 runs. Scott Styris boosted Middlesex's total with a rapid 71 from 43 balls with seven sixes, four of them coming off Doeschate.

Hampshire completed a comfortable 79-run win over Lancashire after a solid all round performance. Chris Tremlett rocked Lancashire's top-order as they chased 201 and once they were 16 for 3 Hampshire never slackened their grip. Billy Taylor removed Mark Chilton (47), the top-scorer, and Shaun Udal wrapped up the tail. Hampshire's total was built around 65 from Derek Kenway, although they failed to fully capitalise when they fell from 173 for 5 to 200 all out, as Andrew Crook took 3 for 32.

The match between Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire at Swansea was abandoned before 4pm as rain swept in, with both sides taking two points.

Somerset collapsed from 101 for 2 to 146 all out as they slumped to a 71-run defeat against Leicestershire. While Graeme Smith was compiling 61 from 84 balls Somerset were on course to reach their target of 218. But when he fell to Dinesh Mongia they subsided, as Mongia claimed 4 for 12 from seven overs. Mongia earlier top-scored for Leicestershire, with 75 from 72 balls, as they overcame a sluggish start to post a decent total.

Derbyshire overwhelmed Kent by 90 runs at Maidstone after a thrilling century from Michael di Venuto powered the visitors to 304 for 3. di Venuto scored 116 from 90 balls and added 155 for the first wicket with Steve Stubbings, who played a rare attacking innings. James Bryant and Jonathan Moss boosted the score with rapid innings as all Kent's attack suffered. Andrew Hall gave Kent a glimmer of hope with 61 from 56 balls, but once he fell they subsided with Ant Botha claiming 3 for 25

Neil Carter produced a superb all round performance was Warwickshire beat Surrey by 49 runs at Whitgift School. Carter launched Warwickshire's innings in dramatic style as he smashed 58 from 36 balls, including four sixes. Jim Troughton top-scored with 69 and Alex Loudon made 54 as Warwickshire amassed 309 for 8. Carter then starred with the ball, taking 3-37 including Dominic Thornely, Surrey's latest overseas signing. Mark Ramprakash made a defiant 89 but Surrey were always well behind the rate.