Ian Ward continued his rich vein of form to carry Surrey to a comprehensive win over bottom-of-the-table Yorkshire at Guildford. Ward made an unbeaten 124 and featured in a century partnership with nightwatchman Ian Salisbury (59) who was Surrey's one wicket to fall today. By the time Salisbury was out, caught behind off Darren Lehmann, Surrey were just 28 short of victory. Ali Brown then joined Ward to ensure a six-wicket win.

Kent put in an equally convincing display to beat Leicestershire by the same margin at Grace Road. Matthew Walker (46) and Ed Smith (48) were the main contributors as Kent coasted home to a win that moves them into second place, 33 points behind Surrey.

Hampshire are now second from bottom after a game they'd prefer to forget at The Rose Bowl. After they were deducted eight points for a poor pitch by the ECB this morning, they were bowled out for 127 to give Lancashire victory by 111 runs. John Wood took four for 17 and James Anderson three for 27 towards the visitors' triumph.

As looked to be the case last night, Sussex's victory target of 401 proved to be well beyond them, as they were shot out for just 192 by Warwickshire. Medium pacer Alan Richardson was the toast of the hosts, with a career-best eight for 51. Warwickshire's 208-run victory moves them clear of the relegation zone.

In Division Two, an innings of 80 by Dominic Cork helped guide Derbyshire to a comprehensive victory over struggling Northamptonshire at the County Ground. After being dismissed for 288, sharp bowling from Cork (two for 71) and Kevin Dean (three for 47) accounted for the first five Northants wickets before Anthony Penberthy (62) proved an obstacle. Torbin Bailey (50) was the other main contributor to an otherwise poor home side performance. Mohammed Ali (two for 72) and Lian Wharton (two for 43) wrapped up the 177-run victory.

Essex remain in contention for promotion after grinding out a draw against Glamorgan. On a sizzling day at Chelmsford, Andy Flower's unbeaten 172 was the key to the home side's survival. Still behind the visitors when play began, Flower, aided by some defensive batting from Aftab Habib (31) and veteran John Stephenson (29*) ensured Essex had a share of the points to keep in them in the top three. At the close the home side finished on 514 for four.

Despite Ben Hutton's exquisite 88 and a half-century from South-African born Sven Koenig (52), Middlesex missed out on their sixth victory, though they still remain top of the Division. Gloucestershire set them a target of 361 in just over 80 overs, but once Koenig and Hutton's second-wicket partnership was over, Middlesex opted for safety and batted out a draw, closing on 265 for five.

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