Essex v Yorkshire
Glamorgan v Surrey
Lancashire v Kent
Somerset v Northamptonshire
Final table

Northamptonshire 463 for 9 and 432 for 9 dec, Somerset 650 and 250 for 6. Somerset win by four wickets. Taunton
Points Northants 7, Somerset 20
What it means Northants are relegated to Division Two. Somerset had already secured the five points they needed to be sure of staying second.
Story of the day Somerset reached their victory target pretty comfortably, thanks to a first-wicket platform of 147 from Jamie Cox (86) and Matthew Wood (65). A belligerant 36* off only 15 balls from Keith Parsons clinched the win. A hugely disappointing result for Northants, who came so close to saving themselves from the drop. Graeme Swann took 4 for 87 but neither that, nor Northants' powerful batting earlier in the day, was enough to clinch a win.

Glamorgan 258 and 69 for 1, Surrey 701 for 9 dec. Match drawn. Cardiff
Points Glamorgan 7, Surrey 12
What it means Glamorgan, already relegated, were fighting only for pride. Surrey collected the four points they needed to be safe from the drop early on the third day.
Story of the day Play was delayed until shortly after 1pm due to rain. Mark Butcher fell early for an excellent 230. But Surrey showed no mercy as Adam Hollioake (97) and Ally Brown (115) piled on the runs all afternoon. Glamorgan had no chance of securing a win, and batted out the remainder of the day, losing only Jonathan Hughes in the process.

Essex 250 and 172 for 8 dec, Yorkshire 104 for 5 dec and 267. Essex win by 51 runs. Scarborough
Points Essex 15, Yorkshire 3
What it means Nothing in terms of relegation. Essex, demoted and demoralised, just wanted the season to end. Yorkshire had already won the Championship.
Story of the day A spectacular collapse by the champions gave Essex a much-needed boost at the end of an otherwise miserable season. Chasing 318, Yorkshire looked well set on 212 for 4, thanks to a blistering 113 from Michael Vaughan, off only 89 balls. He received stout support from Anthony McGrath (70 off 86). But from 230 for 4, Yorkshire collapsed to 267 all out. The main damage was done by Paul Grayson, who took 5 for 20 off 10 overs. A shock result for Yorkshire, especially after Vaughan's pyrotechnics, and a bonus for Essex.

Kent 377, Lancashire 21 for 1. Match drawn. Old Trafford
Points Kent 8, Lancs 7
What it means Lancashire maintain their Division One status, thanks to Somerset's win over Northants. Kent finish third.
Story of the day. The familiar Manchester rain took Lancashire's fate out of their own hands. The match was abandoned as a draw without a ball being bowled on the final day. Red Rose supporters gnawed their nails, until the result from Taunton confirmed Lancashire's top-flight survival.

Division One final table

	Pts
1 Yorkshire	216
2 Somerset	203
3 Kent	175
4 Surrey	169.5
5 Leicestershire	165
6 Lancashire	153
7 Northants	148	REL
8 Glamorgan	133	REL
9 Essex	116	REL

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