County cricket round-up

Coach John Emburey predicted that Middlesex would more than hold their own in Division One next season after securing promotion with a 73-run victory against Derbyshire today.

A 12-wicket match haul by Ashley Noffke sent Derbyshire to a defeat which, along with an eight-point deduction for preparing an unsatisfactory pitch, ended their promotion hopes and left Essex, Worcester and Notts to dispute the other two promotion places.

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell also weighed in with five second-innings wickets as Derbyshire, needing 306 to win, were all out for 232.

Emburey said: "There were a couple of times during the Derbyshire innings when I was starting to get worried but the players kept their nerve, kept the pressure on and got the deserved reward.

"It's great to have promotion in the bag and not have to worry about what the others do. I honestly believe that we are capable of giving a really good account of ourselves in the top flight."
Middx (292 & 150) beat Derbys (137 & 232) by 73 runs.

Essex

Spinner James Middlebrook took four wickets as Durham collapsed to 187 all out and were forced to follow on. John Stephenson caused further damage, claiming three second-innings wickets.
Essex 463, Durham 187 & 120-3.

Hampshire v Surrey

Surprise England Ashes tourist Graham Thorpe was unbeaten on 102 as he and Ian Ward (123 not out) helped Surrey to a lead of 359 against Hampshire.
Surrey 418 & 272-2, Hants 327