Somerset close gap on Notts at top
Press release: 16 August 2010
A draw with Hampshire at Taunton denied Somerset the chance to go top of the LV= County Championship Division One as Nottinghamshire stay top by just a two points with a game in hand.
Having won the toss and deciding to field first, Somerset's bowlers soon had Hampshire in trouble as Murali Kartik, Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby combined to knock over the visitors for just 284. Somerset's first innings of 412 was built around a fine 130 by James Hildreth, with James Tomlinson starring with the ball for the away side to finish with impressive bowling figures of 7-85. But Hampshire's stubborn reply of 224-4 in their second innings saw them hang on for the draw and eight points. Somerset's well earned 11 points moves them above Yorkshire into second place, whilst Hampshire climb to sixth.
Elsewhere, Champions Durham inflicted a first LV= County Championship defeat of the season on Lancashire lifting them up to fourth in the table and away from the relegation zone. Durham's win was thanks in part to a superb all round performance from Ian Blackwell. The left arm spinner finishing the game with match bowling figures of 9-180 and 85 runs with the bat as the Old Trafford based side were soundly beaten by six wickets.
The next round of LV= County Championship Division One matches begin today where leaders Nottinghamshire entertain bottom placed Warwickshire. Elsewhere Durham will be looking to keep up their momentum and register a fifth win of the season as they welcome second placed Yorkshire to Emirates Durham ICG.
In the Second Division Glamorgan moved top with a fine 241 run win over Worcestershire at Colwyn Bay. The win moved the Welsh side just one point clear of Sussex at the top of the table who could only draw with Surrey at Guildford. Worcestershire's fourth defeat of the season prompted Vikram Solanki to resign as captain. Opening batsman Daryl Mitchell will now take charge until the end of the season.
Northamptonshire's promotion hopes took a blow as rain forced them to settle for a draw at Chesterfield against Derbyshire. With the hosts 33-0 overnight, chasing 322 for victory, rain halted proceedings half an hour into the day. Northants' seven points means they stay third whilst Derbyshire's nine points isn't enough to lift them off the bottom of the table as their miserable season continues.
In London former England seamer Mathew Hoggard led from the front for his Leicestershire side at Lord's against Middlesex. Sadly, rain ruined the prospect of an exciting finish as the two sides eventually had to settle for a draw.
The next round of LV= County Championship Division Two matches start today where table toppers Glamorgan welcome Middlesex at the Swalec Stadium, Northamptonshire host Gloucestershire at Northampton and Worcestershire play Surrey at New Road.
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