Cricket: 2011 English County Championship, Division 2 Update

Northamptonshire lost their unbeaten run but stay top as Gloucestershire and Middlesex could only draw in the latest round of Division Two fixtures.

Northamptonshire suffered their first defeat in nine games but are still top by 32 points with five wins and three draws, as they lost by 171 runs at Chelmsford.

Essex batted first on their home patch but only four batsman made double-figures, opener Tom Westley's 61 vital in pushing the home side to 183. Chaminda Vaas claimed 6-46 to restrict Essex.

Northamptonshire were then blown away for just 99 from 51.4 overs. Reece Topley taking 4-36 and David Masters 4-28.

Essex fell to 63-5 in their second innings before Adam Wheater smashed 164 from 143 balls and James Foster 103 from 155 balls before declaring on 331-9.

Jack Brooks 4-58 and James Middlebrook's 3-85 were the pick of the bowlers.

Chasing 416, Northamptonshire were never really in the hunt and fell short on 244. Several batsmen got in but didn't push on with Rob White's 43 the top score. Tom Craddock's 4-70 ensured Essex won by 171 runs and sit fifth after nine games with two wins, five draws and two defeats.

Gloucestershire and Middlesex both gained ground on leaders Northamptonshire, but neither could force the win to challenge the leaders grip on top spot, after playing out a draw at Uxbridge.

Gloucestershire amassed 459 first time around with Ian Cockbain hitting 127 and Jon Lewis 71. Corey Collymore claimed 4-80 in a rain-interrupted first innings.

Chris Rogers hit 148 in Middlesex's reply of 325 as Andrew Strauss made just two. Five bowlers shared two wickets each with Will Gidman's 2-19 the most economical.

Gloucestershire made 229-8 in their second innings with Kane Williamson hitting 73 before the match was settled as a draw. Tim Murtagh's 3-28 the pick of the Middlesex bowlers.

The result sees Middlesex stay second on114 points, having playing a game less than Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire, with four wins, three draws, and one defeat.

Gloucestershire are third with three wins, four draws, and two defeats on 110 points.

Glamorgan failed to pile the pressure on the promotion-hopefuls as they lost to Derbyshire by six wickets in Cardiff.

Wes Durston's 106 and Dan Redfern's 88 helped Derbyshire to 367 in their first innings, while Jim Allenby claimed 5-44.

Glamorgan slipped to 138-8 but Alviro Petersen (93) with help from the lower order pushed the home side to 213.

Jonathan Clare's 5-50 key in restricting the hosts.

Following on, Glamorgan made 283 thanks to Mike Powell's 87 and Mark Wallace's 70 but Tony Palladino's 4-50 and Tom Knight's 2-32 on first-class debut helped set up a Derbyshire victory.

Chasing 130 to win, Derbyshire wobbled to 85-4 but Martin Guptill's unbeaten 70 saw them home.

Derbyshire are sixth with two wins, three draws and three defeats after their latest win.

The next round of fixtures sees Leicestershire host Essex and Surrey face Kent from July 10 and Derbyshire play Glamorgan from July 11.