Somerset closed out a dominant 10-wicket win over Essex at Chelmsford for a first Rothesay County Championship victory of the new campaign.
After Craig Overton’s career-best 141 had helped put the visitors in a strong position at Chelmsford, Essex had resumed at 131 for three.
However, once overnight batters Matt Critchley (59) and Paul Walter, who was caught and bowled by stand-in skipper Overton, went in quick succession, Essex were then dismissed for 245.
Somerset needed only 47 for victory, which injury substitute Archie Vaughan – son of former England captain Michael – soon helped rattle off, making a swift 41, hitting two sixes.
Durham beat Gloucestershire by an innings and 225 runs in their Division Two match in Bristol, with Callum Parkinson taking three wickets.
Gloucestershire had followed on 430 runs adrift and despite a century opening stand between Ben Charlesworth and captain Cameron Bancroft, who made 56, left-arm spinner Parkinson reduced the hosts to 141 for three.
Callum Parkinson took three wickets for Durham against Gloucestershire
Matthew Potts also claimed three for 49 as Gloucestershire were all out for 205.
Worcestershire beat Middlesex at Lord’s by 57 runs. Middlesex had given themselves hope after dismissing Worcestershire for 253, with Matthew Waite contributing what proved to be 34 vital runs. Ryan Higgins finished with four for 68.
Worcestershire, though, fought back with the ball. Tom Taylor claimed three wickets as Middlesex were all out for 204, all-rounder Waite having taken two for 29. Joe Cracknell was unbeaten on 43.
County champions Nottinghamshire will be looking to complete victory over Glamorgan at Trent Bridge, needing eight wickets on the final day after being held up by rain delays.
Nottinghamshire, having not opted to enforce the follow-on, declared at 311 for nine, leaving a target of 478.
England hopeful Asa Tribe had made an unbeaten 59 by lunch, but no play was possible before tea as the rain set in.
Bad light also halted play again in the evening session, with Tribe eventually moving on to 82, chasing a fourth first-class century, as Glamorgan reached 132 for two at stumps.
Sussex need 94 runs to beat Warwickshire, with five wickets remaining at Hove.
Warwickshire resumed at 154 for five. Opener Rob Yates (90) was one of three wickets in the first hour before a ninth-wicket stand of 64 between Michael Booth (48) and Jordan Thompson helped see the visitors on to 264 all out.
After Sussex were 68 for three, opener Daniel Hughes dug in for 83 and Jack Leaning made an unbeaten 72 to leave the hosts well set at 234 for five.
Leicestershire continued to make Surrey toil at The Oval, reaching 691 all out, a lead of 171 runs after a fine 162 from Ben Cox.
Resuming at 350 for three, Rishi Patel, 133 overnight, was out for 164, but further determined centuries from Stephen Eskinazi (100) and Cox helped push the visitors on.
Ben Cox scored a fine 162 for Leicestershire
Hampshire are closing in on victory over Yorkshire at Headingley.
An unbeaten 103 from captain Ben Brown and Jake Lehmann’s 92 helped Hampshire reach 351 for five declared, setting a target of 426.
Yorkshire lost regular wickets as Kyle Abbott claimed four for just 11 runs to leave the hosts in deep trouble at 65 for five.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Zak Crawley’s indifferent form continued as Kent trailed Northamptonshire by 344 runs at Canterbury.
Crawley – out for 26 in the first innings – made only five from his 10 balls of the follow-on. Kent reached 162 for three at close, Sam Northeast scoring 69 and with opener Ben Compton unbeaten on 70.
Lancashire and Derbyshire both could push on for a positive result at Old Trafford.
The home side finished 147 for six, a lead of 124, with Marcus Harris 58 not out following a run of late wickets by Zak Chappell.
