Cricket: 2011 County Championship Division 2, Round 2

Northamptonshire lead the way in the early stages of the LV English County Championship season while Essex are bottom of the table.

Northamptonshire have played two, won one and drawn one after an innings and 159-run win over Kent at the County Ground.

Robert Key top-scored as the away side made 202 in their first innings, while Chaminda Vaas took 3-70.

Northamptonshire replied with 480, including 40 extras, as Andrew Hall hit 146, James Middlebrook was 74 not out and Niall O'Brien made 71.

Simon Cook (3-72) and Robbie Joseph (3-79) were the pick of the bowlers for Kent.

Kent slumped to 32-6 and never really recovered as they were bundled out for just 119—James Tredwell top-scoring with 35. Northamptonshire claimed the victory by an innings and 159 runs, thanks to Jack Brooks (4-36).

Derbyshire bounced back from last week's defeat to Gloucestershire to beat Leicestershire by an innings and 32 runs in Derby.

Claude Henderson's 77 and 41 extras helped Leicestershire make 230, while Tim Groenewald took 5-59.

Derbyshire amassed 439, with opener Wayne Madsen making 106, Greg Smith making 99, while Groenewald was 60 not out. Nathan Buck took four wickets for 112 runs.

On day three, the away side then fell to 177 all out, as Will Jefferson made 41 and Henderson went 40 not out, with Groenewald again the pick of the bowlers with 3-38 to give Derbyshire victory by an innings and 32 runs.

Gloucestershire are third after defeat to Glamorgan, who are fourth, by 189 runs at Sophia Gardens.

Glamorgan were in real trouble at 54-6 before Ben Wright (83) and Graham Wagg (58) rescued the home side, who posted 202.

Ian Saxelby was the chief destroyer with 5-53.

Gloucestershire, with Chris Dent unable to bat because of a broken finger, recovered from 94-7 to make 188 thanks to Jon Lewis' 56. James Harris took 5-39 for Glamorgan.

The second time around, Glamorgan batted better. They posted 370-9 and declared as Gareth Rees (68) and Jim Allenby (63) passed 50. Will Gidman (3-49) did his best to restrict the home side.

Chasing 385, Gloucestershire were looking good for a draw at 164-3 after 83.3 overs. However, they then collapsed to 195 all out, with Dent still unable to bat. Chris Taylor's 83 runs from 165 balls went in vain.

Adam Shantry (3-42) was the pick of the bowlers as Glamorgan claimed victory by 189 runs.

Middlesex won their first game of the season, beating Essex by eight wickets at Lord's.

Contributions all down the order allowed Middlesex to post 277, while Reece Topley claimed 5-64.

Essex collapsed to only 115 runs. Tim Westley's 36 was the only innings of note as Tim Murtagh did most of the damage, finishing 4-48.

Following on, the away side posted 215, with Westley again top-scoring with 59. Alastair Cook followed his first innings score of 19 with a 25. Ravi Bopara made just 13 and four.

The second time around, Steven Finn took Cook, to follow up his first innings figures of 2-21 with 3-37, but Gareth Berg's 4-31 was the pick of the Middlesex bowlers.

Chasing 54 to win, Middlesex reached their target with eight wickets in hand.

The next round of fixtures sees Surrey play their second game as they travel to Glamorgan from April 20, while Derbyshire host Middlesex and top plays bottom when Northamptonshire face Essex.