Cricket: 2011 County Championship, Division 2, Round 3

Middlesex are the only side with a 100 percent record after winning both their opening games, while Essex stopped their run of successive defeats with a draw.

Middlesex have 41 points after their second win of the season, a three-wicket win over Derbyshire at Derby.

Derbyshire could only manage 154 the first time around as No. 9 Ross Whiteley top-scored with 28. Gareth Berg (4-18) and Tim Murtagh (3-36) did the main damage; Steven Finn claimed 1-42.

 Middlesex replied with 270, helped by 46 extras, as Chris Rogers hit 70 against his former county. Tony Palladino took 5-39 and Chesney Hughes took 2-9.

Derbyshire played much better in their second innings, as they posted 403, with Wes Durston hitting 96, Greg Smith 50, Dan Redfern 49 and Australian-import Usman Khawaja making 45. Finn was the pick of the bowlers with 3-55.

Chasing 328 for victory, Middlesex wobbled to 197-6 before recovering to reach their target to win by three wickets. Gareth Berg's 80 and Ollie Rayner's 58 not out, were key to the win. Palladino was again the best bowler with 4-85, but it wasn't enough for Derbyshire, who suffered their second loss in three games.

Northamptonshire are second after their second draw in three games, this time against bottom side Essex.

Batting first in Northampton, Essex compiled 433 thanks to Alastair Cook (155) and Jaik Mickleburgh's (112) second-wicket partnership of 258 runs. James Foster also added 64. Chaminda Vaas was the pick of the bowlers with 5-76.

Northamptonshire responded with a mammoth 538-9, declared as opener Stephen Peters hit 106, Niall O'Brien and Vaas both made 96. South African import Lonwabo Tsotsobe (2-154), Ravi Bopara (2-96) and Reece Topley (2-108) were among the wickets.

Essex advanced to 229-4, with Matt Walker's 70 not out and Mark Pettini's 67 not out, before the match was declared as a draw, halting Essex's run of two straight defeats.

Glamorgan are third, with one win, one draw and one defeat following their draw with Surrey at Sophia Gardens.

Surrey piled on 575-7 before they declared, Zander de Bruyn smashing 172, Tom Maynard 123 and Chris Schofield was unfortunately run out for 99. Dean Cosker took 3-168 from his 47 overs.

Glamorgan struggled to 158-5 before recovering somewhat to 395. Mark Wallace hitting 55 and Huw Waters 54. Stuart Meaker's 5-86, the pick of the bowling.

Following on, Glamorgan reached 198-4, Gareth Rees top-scoring with 89, before the match was settled as a draw. Gareth Batty took 3-57 as Surrey are next to bottom having drawn their opening two games of the 2011 season.

Essex are in action against Glamorgan and Kent face Gloucestershire from April 26. Leicestershire play Derbyshire and Middlesex host Surrey from April 27.