Cricket: 2011 County Championship, Division 2, Round 7

Northamptonshire beat Glamorgan to extend their lead at the top of the Division Two table, while Kent beat Leicestershire in the battle at the bottom.

Northamptonshire are 26 points clear of Glamorgan, having played a game less, after an innings and 177-run with at the County Ground.

The home side batted first and piled on 461-6 declared as Rob White (140) and Stephen Peters (115) hit centuries. Dean Cosker's 2-85 was the pick of a tired bowling attack.

In response, Glamorgan were blasted out for just 72. Alivro Petersen top-scored with 18 as Chaminda Vaas took 5-22 and Andrew Hall 3-8.

Following on, Glamorgan did slightly better. but after looking good on 99-1,

they collapsed to 120-5 and were eventually dismissed for 212, William Bragg's 57 the highest score.

Vaas took 5-60 to give him match figures of 10-72 and despite a day's play being lost to rain the home side won by an innings and 177 runs, leaving them the only county side unbeaten this season.

Middlesex are third on 87 points but have only played six games, winning three, drawing two and losing once.

Surrey ended a run of back-to-back draws as they beat Derbyshire by seven wickets in Derby.

Chesney Hughes's 124 helped Derbyshire post 400, despite Tim Linley's 6-81.

Surrey responded well but fell away from 333-4 to be dismissed for 358. Steve Davies hit 78, Rory Hamilton-Brown 69, Tom Maynard 64 and Zander de Bruyn 53. Steffan Jones was the best bowler for the home side with 3-56.

Derbyshire were then blown away for just 99. Six batsman reached double figures, but none scored more than Wes Durston (17). Matt Dunn, a replacement for Jade Dernbach, called up to the England squad, claimed 5-56 and Linley 4-26.

Chasing 142 for victory, Surrey reached their target with only three wickets down. Derbyshire are next to bottom after only one win in seven games.

Fifth-placed Gloucestershire drew with six-placed Essex in Bristol. 

Gloucestershire posted 255 first time around as Ed Young (51 not out) and Kane Williamson (50) survived falling to David Masters, who claimed 5-48. Ravi Bopara took 2-55.

Bopara was out without scoring in the Essex reply, but Adam Wheater's 69 and Owais Shah's 51 helped the away side to 321. Jon Lewis took 4-65 to restrict the lead.

Gloucestershire were in trouble at 209-8 but an unbroken stand of 101 from Chris Dent (70 not out) and Jon Lewis (50 not out) allayed any fears and the game ended as a draw with the home side 310-8.

Essex have drawn five of their eight games, while Gloucestershire have two wins, three draws and two defeats so far.

Kent got their second win of the season with a five-wicket victory against Leicestershire in Tunbridge Wells.

A mammoth opening stand of 198 saw Kent post 459. But after being 338-1, Joe Denly (143), Rob Key (91) and Sam Northeast (99) will be slightly disappointed at their lack of support.

Wayne White's 4-66 a key reason in the Leicestershire fightback.

Leicestershire replied with 251, Will Jefferson top-scored with 77. James Tredwell (5-55) and Matt Coles (5-77) shared the wickets.

Following on, Leicestershire fought hard to post 362. James Taylor hit 96 and Wayne White 71, while Robbie Joseph claimed 4-76.

Chasing 155 for victory, Essex eased their way to 137-1, as Denly made 74 and Northeast 62, before a late wobble saw them stumble over the winning line on 157-5. Claude Henderson's 4-61 not enough to stop Leicestershire slipping to the bottom of the table.

The County Championship takes a break for Twenty20 cricket but the next round of four-day games starts on June 19. Leicestershire host Northamptonshire, Middlesex play Kent and Surrey face Gloucestershire.