LEICESTERSHIRE'S extended sojourn in the capital had a satisfactory conclusion. Following their capitulation to Essex in the Benson and Hedges Cup final on Sunday they yesterday consigned Surrey with some ease to a ninth consecutive AXA League defeat.

What a difference a day makes. After the early loss of Vince Wells, caught behind in the second over, Phil Simmons and Ben Smith, whose 87 was a competition best, flayed the Surrey attack as they put on 195 runs in just 30 overs.

Surrey broke that second- wicket partnership with a sharp run out by Adam Hollioake when Simmons, whose fourth 'Sunday' century came from only 84 balls, backed up too far.

Surrey, required to score 256 runs in 38 overs under the dreaded Duckworth-Lewis method, showed a greater sense of purpose when they batted than they had in the field. But a rate of almost seven an over was always going to be a tough task, especially after Alistair Brown had perished in the eighth over, shuffling across his stumps. Ian Ward batted pleasantly for his 68 but the mission of scoring 109 runs from the last 10 overs proved to be far too daunting for the home side.