Trescothick smashes Somerset to the top

Division Two

The game of the day - although, in truth, there wasn't much competition - came at Taunton where Marcus Trescothick and Neil Edwards helped to hunt down 121 in the last session to help Somerset climb to the top of Division Two.

But Trescothick injured his quad muscle and had to bat with a runner during his innings of 69. Nevertheless, he and Edwards batted with an Australian-like aggression to post 50 in the first five overs. In the end, their stand was worth 95, with Cameron White then anchoring as Trescothick saw them home with 69 from 42 balls.

Earlier, Lance Klusener's 122 led Northamptonshire's brave battle to hold out for the draw. Starting with three down and trailing by 161 runs, Northants lost three quick wickets and were in some trouble at 120 for 6. Then came a remarkable seventh-wicket stand of 173 between Klusener and Alex Wakely, who added 66. Johan wan der Wath contributed 37 as Northants reached 358 to make Somerset bat again.

Andrew Caddick ended with 4 for 91 in the second innings, to finish with seven wickets this match. He now has 46 in his nine Championship matches this term.

Two days of rain at Trent Bridge, rendered Nottinghamshire's match with Gloucestershire a draw, as Somerset eased past them to the top. Notts moved on from 271 for 4 to 400 for 8 - David Hussey moving on to 180 and Chris Read made 52 - before Gloucestershire declared after the first ball to bring an early finish.

A similar story at Edgbaston where, also after two rained-out days, Yorkshire had to settle for a draw with Warwickshire. In another parallel, Yorkshire made 400 before declaring (with nine down). Anthony McGrath was left unbeaten on 188. Warwickshire eased to 254 for 2 in reply, Darren Maddy not out on 135 and there were fifties too for the Ians Westwood (51) and Bell (65). Yorkshire gained enough bonus points to squeeze ahead of Sussex at the top of the table.

Division One

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Pts
Yorkshire	9	3	1	0	5	117
Sussex	9	4	2	0	3	116
Warwickshire	9	2	1	0	6	103
Durham	9	3	4	0	2	98.5
Lancashire	8	2	0	0	6	95
Hampshire	8	3	1	0	4	93
Kent	7	2	3	0	2	71
Surrey	8	1	4	0	3	65
Worcestershire	7	0	4	0	3	43

Division Two

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Pts
Somerset	9	5	1	0	3	144
Nottinghamshire	10	4	1	0	5	140.5
Essex	9	3	2	0	4	111
Northamptonshire	9	3	4	0	2	92
Middlesex	8	3	1	0	4	90.5
Derbyshire	8	2	1	0	5	90
Leicestershire	9	1	4	0	4	75
Gloucestershire	9	1	4	0	4	70
Glamorgan	7	1	5	0	1	46