County Championship Division Two: Round Two

The County Championship Division Two is starting to take shape with most teams having played three games and it is Sussex who lead with the way with three wins.

Relegated last year, they are hoping to bounce back to the top flight and early signs look good after a 207 run win over Gloucestershire gives them 63 points.

Despite a modest 152 in their first innings the bowlers ensured Gloucestershire could only manage 128, Naved-ul-Hassan taking 4-49.

The batters fared better in the second innings scoring 302 with Robin Martin-Jenkins hitting 102 and the bowlers again did their job to dismiss the home side for just 119.

Derbyshire are second with 49 points after a eight wicket win over Glamorgan.

Steffan Jones took 4-60 in Glamorgan's 272 and Derbyshire piled on the runs scoring 365. Greg Smith hitting 165 not out including a last wicket partnership of 79 with Jones (33).

The away side managed 211 in their second innings, mainly thanks to Gareth Rees' 102 but Smith shone with the ball this time taking 4-66.

Derbyshire made their target of 121 with the loss of only two wickets.

Leicestershire are in third with the only other 100 per cent record with two wins from two games as they did not play in the last round of fixtures.

Northamptonshire are fourth with 41 points from three games after a six wicket win over Middlesex.

Middlesex made 442 for eight declared in their first innings helped by 69 extras and John Simpson hitting 101 not out.

Northants reponse of 307 all out, Danny Evans taking 5-87, looked to have put Middlesex in control, especially when the away side declared at 258-3 in their second innings.

However, the declaration backfired on Shaun Udal with the home side reaching 395-4 in the 90th over thanks mainly to Stephen Peters 183 not out.

Glamorgan are fifth with 30 points after their defeat to Derbyshire and on the same points as Worcestershire in sixth who drew with Surrey in seventh.

Surrey piled up 493 with Rory Hamilton-Brown (125) and Steve Davies (137) the highest scorers.

Worcestershire answered with 465, collapsing from 459-5. Vikram Solanki (114) and Moeen Ali (126) helping boost the total.

Surrey declared on 239-8 setting Worcs 268 to win but they stumbled to 170-8 before the match ended in a draw.

The result leaves Surrey on 18 points, Middlesex are in eighth on 12 points and Gloucestershire prop up the table but have only played two games.

The next round of fixtures starting April 27 has bottom two Middlesex and Gloucestershire clashing at Lords, Northamptonshire host Derbyshire, the two teams with 100 percent records, Sussex and Leicestershire, meet at Hove and Worcestershire face Glamorgan.