County Championship Division 1, Round 8

Rain ruined all three matches in the latest round of Division One fixtures but Nottinghamshire still managed to climb back to the top of the table.

They lead the way on 103 points by virtue of most wins, having won four, drawn one and lost one.

The county's first draw came at home to Essex, who made 329 in their first innings.

Mark Pettini top scored with 96 while Steven Mullaney took 4-31.

The home side replied with 217, Mullaney (53) and Chris Read (52) making half centuries as David Masters took 4-48.

Essex reached 152-2 before rain washed out the final days play.

Yorkshire are second on 103 points with three wins, four draws and one defeat after the Roses match ended in a washout.

No play was possible on the first day but Lancashire piled on 416 when they did bat. Tom Smith hitting 108 not out while Adil Rashid took 4-121.

Yorkshire battled to 199-8, one run short of a bonus point that would have taken them top of the table, before rain again intervened with no play possible on the final day.

Lancashire stay third on 97 points after their draw with three wins and four draws.

Somerset, who didn't play this round, are fourth on 79 points after two wins, two defeats and three draws.

Durham are fifth on 72 points with two wins, two defeats and three draws after drawing with Warwickshire.

The holders batted first making 379 as captain and keeper Phil Mustard made 100 while Imran Tahir was chief destroyer with 8-114.

Warwickshire stumbled to 100 all out first time round but posted 229-4 when asked to follow on before rain made sure the fourth day was a wash-out.

Essex are sixth on 70 points with one win, five draws and two defeats having drawn their latest match with Nottinghamshire.

Kent are seventh on 66 points after one win, three draws and three defeats as they had no game this round.

Warwickshire are up one place to eighth with 65 points with two wins, one draw and four defeats after their draw with Durham.

Hampshire slip to last place on 60 points with one win, two draws and four defeats as they had no game this round.

The next set of fixtures, June 4-7, sees Hampshire host Essex, Kent play Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire against Somerset.