Middlesex hold their nerve for win

Division One

Middlesex completed a thrilling two-wicket win over Northants off the last ball. Ed Joyce made 74 from 78 balls to put Middlesex on course, along with Jamie Dalrymple who hit 76 from 76. However, Joyce's wicket prompted a tense finish as Johann Louw and Damien Wright squeeze the tail-end batsmen. But Melvyn Betts held his nerve to scamper the winnings runs. The result was harsh on Martin Love and Usman Afzaal, who both hit unbeaten centuries, adding 227, as Northants amassed 283 for 1.

Nottinghamshire won their first National League match of the season as they beat Lancashire by 61 runs. Lancashire's top-order failed to fire as they slumped to 94 for 6 in the face of some accurate bowling for the Notts seamers. Mark Ealham was the best of them, bowling his nine overs for 33 and dismissing Brad Hodge. He earlier played a major role with the bat, hitting 35 from 32 balls and added 86 with Chris Read as they managed to score 95 runs in the final 10 overs. Notts struggled in the initial part of the innings and from 77 for five, so their victory represented a fine turnaround.

Division Two

Kent's powerful batting performance, led by another century for Martin van Jaarsveld, condemned Somerset to a heavy 75-run defeat at Bath. van Jaarsveld made his runs from 106 balls and was well supported by Robert Key (67) and Matthew Walker (56 from 39 balls). Darren Stevens rounded the innings off in style with 28 in 10 balls. While Ian Blackwell was hitting 57 from 42 deliveries Somerset had an outside chance, but Justin Kemp cleaned up the tail with 4 for 52.

Leicestershire earned a comfortable seven-wicket win against Yorkshire after a tight bowling and fielding display. Despite reaching 102 for 2 Yorkshire could never really find proper momentum against an impressive attack. Dinesh Mongia removed Craig White first ball while Darren Maddy and David Masters were economical and took two wickets each. Mongia then guided Leicestershire home with 46 in 38 balls to complete another excellent, personal, National League match. Tom New anchored the the chase with a solid 47 at the top of the order.