Royals back on top as Norwich Union League tables take shape

Worcestershire Royals moved back level on points with Warwickshire Bears at the top of the Norwich Union League Division One table thanks to an eight-wicket victory over Somerset Sabres at Taunton.

Royals' captain Graeme Hick led the way for the visitors with a destructive 141 not out, as they made light of what had appeared to be a challenging target of 270.

Hick added 127 with Vikram Solanki for the second wicket, before taking the game beyond doubt in a partnership of 139 with Ben Smith (64 not out).

The Sabres are now facing a real fight in the second half of the season if they are to preserve their first division status.

The most comfortable victory of the day came at Maidstone, as Kent Spitfires stormed to victory over Durham Dynamos by 165 runs.

Once again the Spitfires were grateful for the broad bat of Rob Key, as he added 102 with James Hockley for the third wicket. But when they both fell for 58 the middle order failed to capitalise on their hard work and but for Andrew Symonds' 31and a late 21 from James Golding, they may have let slip their good start.

As it turned out they had more than enough runs. David Masters cut through the Dynamos top order like a knife through butter, reducing them to 19-5 and then 35-6. Only Marc Symington (22) and Graeme Bridge (24) offered resistance, but the loss sees leaves Durham Dynamos rooted to the foot of the first division table. Spitfires consolidate their position in mid table.

In the remaining game in the top division Phil DeFreitas reduced Glamorgan Dragons to 28-3 at Swansea before Matthew Maynard (38) and Adrian Dale (78 not out) gave the home team heart and helped them towards a moderate final total of 220-8.

DeFreitas followed up his 4-24 by opening the batting for the Foxes and striking five fours in his 16-ball 25 to set the tone for the Foxes reply. And, with Iain Sutcliffe scoring his second NUL 50 of the season, and useful contributions from Wells, Maddy and Burns, the Foxes reached the target in the final over to join the Dragons in mid-table.

In the second division a century from Jeff Cook was the platform for Northants Steelbacks' 62-run victory over Lancashire Lightning at Northampton.

Cook (102) added 109 for the third wicket with David Sales (64), a competition best for the Australian-born left-hander, to help his side to a competitive 261-8 in their 45 overs. And although Alec Swann and Mark Chilton added 68 for Lightening's first wicket, they were unable to match the pace set by the home batsmen as the Steelbacks' bowlers kept to a good line and length throughout.

The pressure from the ever-rising run rate caused Byas and Alec Swann to perish to run outs as the middle order fell away, and Cook capped a memorable day by snatching three late wickets.

Elsewhere Gloucestershire Gladiators defended a paltry 161 all out in 40.3 overs against Derbyshire Scorpions at Derby to boost their promotion hopes.

Graeme Welch took career-best one-day figures of 5-18 in nine overs as the visitors slipped from 74-1 to 96-6 before 20 not out from James Averis took them to a barely respectable total. But it proved to be enough as only Dominic Cork (43) of the home players could muster any resistance. They became so bogged down that they eventually finished seven short of the target, having taken all 45 overs to reach 154-9, at a rate of under 3.5 runs an over.

20-year-old Timothy Murtagh rocked Middlesex Crusaders with three early wickets as Surrey Lions roared to victory at Southgate. Owais Shah helped his side to 194-8 in a weather-curtailed innings, with an innings of 74. But it was never likely to be enough as a stand of 121 between Mark Ramprakash (87 not out playing against his old club) and promising all-rounder Rikki Clarke (62 not out) proved.

Surrey Lions were without several first choice players due to injuries and international calls, but on this form and with the strength in depth they posses, they look favourites to take the NUL second division title and promotion.

Meanwhile Neil Johnson hit a fine 91 for Hampshire Hawks as they beat Sussex Sharks by 93 runs in Southampton. With Derek Kenway he added 78 for the first wicket, but the hosts fell away later, scoring a disappointing 203 all out, with Billy Taylor finishing with 4-22.

However, it proved enough as the Sharks slipped to just 110 all out in 34.2 overs in reply.

A partnership of 51 between Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin threatened briefly, but when they fell in quick succession to Shaun Udal (4-31), the Sharks never looked likely to reach the target.

The loss leaves the Sharks floundering at the bottom of the second division, while the Hawks - still with a couple of games in hand - will feel they have every chance of gaining promotion.