Cricket : 2011 English County Championship, Division 1, Round 11

Somerset took advantage of the other three matches ending in draws as they won to put themselves firmly in the title picture in a round badly affected by weather.

Durham lead the way on 183 points after 12 games but they could only draw with holders Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street.

Durham posted 351 in their first innings, as Michael Di Venuto hit 132 and Phil Mustard 88 not out. Andre Adams claimed 5-82 for the away side.

Nottinghamshire fell to 21-4 in reply before Adam Voges (80) and Chris Read (133 not out) rescued them. But another collapse, from 240-5 saw them all out for 261, Graham Onions bagging 6-95.

Durham declared on 181-3 second time around with Dale Benkenstein 61 not out.

Chasing 272, Nottinghamshire were 172-5 before the match ended in a draw. Voges 68 not out, while Ian Blackwell claimed 2-30.

Nottinghamshire are fifth on 134 points after 12 games.

Lancashire are in second place on 177 points after 12 games, following a tense draw against Warwickshire at Liverpool. 

Stephen Moore's 76 was the main highlight of Lancashire's first innings score of 189. Neil Carter took a first-class best of 6-30 for the away side.

Warwickshire responded with 280, as Chris Woakes made 60 and Jim Troughton hit 49. Gary Keedy claimed 3-48 and Kyle Hogg 2-43.

A partnership of 208 runs between Steven Croft, who equalled his first-class best (122) and Karl Brown (91) powered the home side to 380 in their second innings.

Boyd Rankin took 4-77 and Rikki Clarke took a record equalling seven catches in the innings.

Chasing 290 for victory, Warwickshire were cruising to a draw at 210-5 before clinging on for a share of the spoils at 217-8. Tim Ambrose's unbeaten 66 was vital to the away side, while Keedy claimed 3-53 and Steven Croft 2-10.

Warwickshire are fourth on 168 points, but have a game in hand on the title-chasing pack ahead of them.

Somerset climb to third on 171 points after 12 games, following a nine-wicket victory over Sussex at Taunton.

Sussex posted 259 in their first innings, Ed Joyce (59) and Murray Goodwin (55) passing 50. Alfonso Thomas took 6-60 for the home side.

Somerset were 93-7 before Jos Buttler's 100, 43 from Thomas, 34 from Murali Kartik and 58 extras guided them to 286. Monty Panesar picked up 5-73.

Sussex were rolled out for just 134 second time around, as Thomas (4-28) and Kartik (4-46) did the damage.

Marcus Trescothick's 54 from 47 balls enabled the home side to reach their target of 94 for the loss of just one wicket.

Sussex are sixth after 11 games on 118 points and will still have relegation concerns.

Yorkshire are seventh after 12 games on 98 points after a draw against bottom side Hampshire, which did neither county many favours in their respective bids to stay in Division One.

Yorkshire piled on 532 at the Rose Bowl, with Anthony McGrath hitting 115 and Jacques Rudolph 99. Imran Tahir claimed 6-132.

Hampshire slipped to 59-2, before a record-breaking partnership of 523 runs between Michael Carberry (300 not out) and Neil McKenzie (237) saw them declare on 599-3.

Yorkshire used nine bowlers in their bid to break the partnership, which lasted eight hours and 135 overs. The partnership was the highest for the third wicket in the history of county championship and the third highest in the championship's history.

The away side reached 40-0 in their second innings before the match ended as a draw.

Hampshire are favourites for relegation at the bottom of the table on 48 points after 10 games.

The next round of fixtures from August 10 sees leaders Durham face bottom side Hampshire and sixth placed Sussex play eighth placed Worcestershire.