If Surrey are to reclaim the Championship title this season, they will surely regard today's magnificent win over Kent as one of the key points of progress. Few would have backed them this morning, still 146 runs short of their target of 410, with just three wickets left. In the event they lost only one more in getting there, that of Saqlain Mushtaq, and not before Pakistan's top spinner had contributed 60 to a century partnership with Ian Ward. Ward himself was Surrey's major hero, compiling a career-best, unbeaten 168 and staying until victory was accomplished along with another resolute partner, James Ormond who made an unbeaten 43. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Kent, and consolidates Surrey's leadership of Division One.

As expected, the Roses match at Headingley petered out into a tame draw. Peter Martin (47), John Wood (64) and Gary Keedy (57) extended Lancashire's first innings to 478, just 37 runs behind Yorkshire, who then batted out the rest of the day to close on 124 for seven.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire pulled off a thrilling one-wicket win to dash Derbyshire's hopes of a rapid return to the promotion zone. Skipper Jason Gallian was the toast of his side after batting throughout their second innings, scoring an unbeaten 111 as they reached a stiff victory target of 323. Chris Read (47) helped Gallian put on 86 for the sixth wicket, before two quick wickets for Dominic Cork revived Derbyshire hopes. However a heroic last-wicket stand of 46 between Gallian and Greg Smith (16*) saw Notts home.

Glamorgan won another tight encounter, beating Gloucestershire by two wickets at Cheltenham. After Craig Spearman went on to an undefeated 180, Gloucestershire were dismissed for 293 in their second innings, leaving the visitors needing 317 to win. Simon Jones, in the England squad for the Lord's Test, took four of the wickets. Glamorgan reached the target thanks primarily to Matthew Maynard, who finished on 118 not out after Steve James had set his team on its way with 74.

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