Hampshire's fine season ends in relegation

Hampshire's excellent season ended on a disappointing note as they lost to Nottinghamshire and, in the process, were relegated to Division Two. Notts batted confidently to reach 248 for 5, with David Hussey striking a particularly savage 75 from just 53 balls. Rain forced a revised target of 165 to win, in 20 overs, but Hampshire were skittled out for 127. Despite an enterprising 36 from Jono McLean, Hampshire's fate was sealed. Notts' win also ensured their Division One status for another year.

Gloucestershire beat Glamorgan in a high-scoring match at Bristol, but their win was in vain as they were relegated to Division Two for 2006. Set 263 to win, Craig Spearman got the home side on track with 81 from just 71 balls as Gloucestershire won by three wickets

Division One champions Essex cruised to a seven-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Northampton. Northants posted 208, with fifties for Martin Love and Damien Wright. But a career-best 94 from Alastair Cook saw Essex home with more than four overs to spare.

Lancashire brushed aside relegation fears with a 75-run win over Worcestershire at New Road. In a rain-affected match, Worcestershire were set 187 in 33 overs but were dismissed for 111 in the 29th over. James Anderson was remarkably economical in taking 3 for 12 from 5.1 overs. Lancashire's 186 for 8 was built around Stuart Law's 86. This defeat for Worcestershire relegates them to Division Two for 2006.

Leicestershire beat Kent by 40 runs at Leicester, largely thanks to HD Ackerman's knock of 78. The home side reached 280 for 5, and rain forced a revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 269 from 43 overs. But with the score on 170 for 6, rain once again intervened - this time for good - allowing Leicestershire through to a 40-run win.

Somerset thrashed Derbyshire by 135 runs at Taunton to end a thoroughly forgettable season for Derbyshire. Ian Blackwell and Keith Parsons both hit 75 as Somerset hit 300 in their 45 overs. And, despite a brisk 62 from Hassan Adnan, Derbyshire crumbled to 165 all-out, with Blackwell turning in a superb performance in taking 5-26.

Sussex romped to victory over Yorkshire at Hove, thanks to a woeful batting performance from the visitors. Put into bat, Yorkshire were blown away for 99 with Luke Wright taking 3 for 20. Derbyshire knocked off the required runs with consummate ease, and in the process took the Division Two title.

Durham knocked a revised target of 154 to beat Warwickshire by 8 wickets - but both teams were promoted to Division One. Warwickshire were indebted to Dougie Brown's 48 in their 187 for 8. Rain intervened for Durham's innings, but they cruised to victory with more than four overs to spare, with Paul Collingwood unbeaten on 67.

Surrey eased to an eight-wicket win over Scotland at The Oval. Craig White dug the Scots a score of respectability with 88 from 85 balls, as the visitors made 212 from their 45 overs. A rain interruption altered Surrey's eventual target, which was reduced to 203 from 43 overs. They managed it without serious alarm, with Jon Batty hitting 51 and Scott Newman 80.