Tanya Aldred's county roundup
While Surrey did a lap of honour, beers in hand, at a sun-kissed Oval, Hampshire were left to rue what might have been save for a complete malfunction during the 16.5 overs which made up their first innings against Kent.
Second-innings seventies from Jameses Vince and Fuller took Hampshire to within dreaming distance, but Kent’s unheralded bowlers winkled them out with 77 to spare. “There is massive disappointment in the dressing room,” said Vince, with Hampshire’s dreams of their first Championship for 49 years in the bin. “It was always going to be hard work but we felt we had a chance of doing something special. I got out to probably the worst ball of the day.” Kent’s victory leaves them 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
A career-best eight for 23 by Tom Price handed Gloucestershire victory in the Division One relegation shoot-out, as Warwickshire were bowled out for 128. Gloucestershire’s chase of 148 was not without its nerves, with four batters chewing over their shots with just 30 on the board. But Chris Dent and Graeme van Buuren guided them close enough that a late wobble was not terminal.
Tom Abell carpet-bagged a six over extra-cover in the last over of the day to top off a dominant day for Somerset at Taunton. Abell strolled to his second century of the match, in companionship with an unbeaten 101 from Tom Lammonby, setting Northamptonshire an impregnable chase at Taunton. A win would guarantee Somerset first-division cricket next season, a draw lets them breathe easier.
Worcestershire duly handed out one of the most unexpected drubbings of the season after defeating Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire by an innings. Dillon Pennington made the breakthrough with the 10th ball of the day, and Notts slipped quietly away, giving Worcestershire a chance of promotion going into their final game against Middlesex. Notts remain favourites to go up.
Rain meant 14 only balls were possible at Leicestershire, bad light saved the hosts’ blushes after Middlesex’s Toby Roland-Jones had reduced them to 13 for four and Ajaz Patel grabbed his first five-fer for Glamorgan as Derbyshire were forced to follow-on.
Time to sign off, with Surrey champions and the beers flowing at The Oval awards night. Let’s leave them to their celebrations – a great team, who won well. Back tomorrow to hoover up what’s left of this round. Thanks for joining in the fun BTL, goodnight!
