Cricket : 2011 County Championship Division Two, Update

Northamptonshire climbed to the top of the Division Two table while Kent moved off the bottom, despite defeat against Glamorgan.

Northamptonshire go ahead of Middlesex, who had no game this round, after an innings and six-run victory against Gloucestershire.

Northamptonshire amassed 557-9 declared at Bristol, despite falling to 125-5 at one stage. Wicket-keeper batsman Niall O'Brien smashed 166, James Middlebrook 109 and captain Andrew Hall hit 90.

Ian Saxelby's 3-117 was the pick of the bowlers.

Will Gidman's unbeaten 116 couldn't save Gloucestershire from falling to 288, despite a last-wicket partnership of 59, as Jack Brooks took 4-54 and David Lucas 3-72.

Following on, Will Gidman again showed brave resistance with 81 not out but only Jon Lewis's 59 made Northamptonshire wait for victory. Liam Daggett's 3-42 and Brooks's 3-43 wrapped up the innings and six-run win and sent Northamptonshire top while Gloucestershire are fourth after five games.

Glamorgan are third, having played five games after an innings and eight-run victory over Kent in Cardiff.

Kent posted 242 in their first innings, as Darren Stevens hit 66 and Martin van Jaarsveld 57. Will Owen (3-37) and Dean Cosker (3-47) restricted the visitors.

Glamorgan edged to 74-3 and 272-7 before piling on the runs to make 434. Mark Wallace hit 107, Ben Wright 82 and William Bragg 73. Neil Saker (5-112) and James Tredwell (4-121) kept Kent in the match.

The visitors failed to put up a fight though as only Alex Blake's 51 and Matt Coles 50 not out frustrated Glamorgan. Owen's 3-24 and James Harris's 3-43 wrapped up Glamorgan's win but batting and bowling points ensured Kent move off the bottom of the table after five games.

Derbyshire are fifth and Essex sixth after rain had a say in their drawn match at Derby.

James Foster (62) and Matt Walker (56) dragged Essex to 179 as Alastair Cook made just four and Ravi Bopara a 12-ball duck. Azeem Rafiq (3-24) and ex-Essex seamer Tony Palladino (3-60) put Derbyshire in command.

Derbyshire responded with 288, including extras being the top score with 52. Lonwabo Tsotsobe being the main culprit, although he did take the wicket of Will Madsen (51). David Masters 5-71 was the pick of the bowlers.

Essex responded well thanks to Bopara's 119 and Jaik Mickleburgh's 64. Cook made 25 as Greg Smith claimed 4-63.

Chasing 223 to win, the home side slipped to 26-3 before recovering and looking set for victory on 202-6 thanks to Wes Durston's 90 not out, but with 10.5 overs left the rain came and settled the match as a draw.  

Masters 3-52 was the pick of the Essex bowlers.

Bottom side Leicestershire play their fifth game of the season home to Gloucestershire and Surrey face Essex from May 18. Middlesex have a chance to go back to the top at home to Glamorgan from May 19.