Somerset Sabres recorded only their second win in the Norwich Union League after their 107 run victory over Division One high-flyers Glamorgan Dragons. After being put into bat at Cardiff, Keith Parsons (70) was the sole half-centurion during his side's innings. But contributions though from Michael Burns (25), Keith Dutch (26*) and Matt Bulbeck (24*), who all scored quicker than a run a ball enabled Somerset to set the home side 246 for victory. In reply, not even Robert Croft's early hard-hitting was enough to save the Welsh side, as he departed for 16. A stand of 45 for the last wicket between Michael Powell (46) and Owen Parkin's (11*) seemed to last an eternity. In the end it was the bowling Bulbeck (four for 39) and Burns (three for 22) that proved to be too hot and fiery for the Dragons to handle as they closed on 118.

Kent Spitfires bounced back from their semi-final C&G defeat with a resounding five-wicket win over Durham Dynamos at Chester-le-Street. Rain reduced the match to 37 overs, with Durham electing to bat on winning the toss. James Golding (three for 23) and Mark Ealham (three for 18) bowled intelligently and between them claimed six wickets for the cost of 54 runs as the hosts suffered a middle-order collapse. Nicky Peng (32) and Jonathan Lewis (37*) were the notable scorers for the home side as they made 153. Matthew Fleming (30), James Hockley (29) and Andrew Symonds (29) fired on all cylinders in return for Kent, who climb up to second in the table after surviving a late scare from Nick Phillips (three for 38) and Steve Harmison (two for 43). Matthew Walker (10*) and Paul Nixon (13*) saw their side home with nine balls to spare.

Jason Gallian's slow-scoring 63 was the highlight of Nottinghamshire Outlaws' 124 for one in a rain-affected match. After the heavens opened on Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire Phoenix prepared for a thrilling run chase when the match was reduced to 35 overs a side. Under the Duckworth-Lewis method they needed 143 for victory and with Craig White (48) showing his one-day class along with positive knocks from "pinch-hitter" Chris Silverwood (29), Gary Fellows (26*) and Darren Lehmann (20), they cruised to a four-wicket victory and climbed up one place to third, trailing Kent and Worcestershire.

In Division Two, Gloucestershire Gladiators struck Lancashire Lightning down to yet another defeat in a limited-overs match. Stuart Law (55) and Warren Hegg (54) offered Lancashire a lifeline after they were reduced to 49-6. Ian Harvey (four for 36) and Alan Smith (three for 36) were outstanding with the ball as they reduced their hosts to 183. The home side were awesome in reply and with Harvey (56 off 37 balls) and Craig Spearman (54) both scoring half-centuries, Gloucestershire raced home with ten overs to spare and consolidated their lead at the top of Division Two.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks climbed into second place after winning their clash with Surrey Lions by 115 runs. Mal Loye scored an unbeaten 101 (including 11 fours and three sixes) and starred in a 124-run second wicket partnership with David Sales (67). Matthew Cassar (54) also took full advantage of a severely weakened and inexperienced bowling attack to notch up his half-century in just 38 balls, including four big sixes. In reply to Northants 277, David Ward scored a quickfire 78 off 52 balls and with Scott Newman (30) put on a rapid 89 for the first wicket. Once the in-form Ian Ward was dismissed for just 17 with the score on 125-2, Lions lost wickets cheaply, losing their final eight for only 27 runs. James Brown (three for 30) Graeme Swann (three for 16) and James Cook (three for 8) were the main beneficiaries as the hosts stumbled to 162.

Derbyshire Scorpions stung Hampshire Hawks in a low-scoring affair at Derby. Michael Di Venuto top-scored with 37 for the home side as runs seemed hard to come by. After yet another mid-order collapse Luke Sutton (12*) and Tom Lungley (7*) saw their side home to a two-wicket victory. Earlier South African-born Nic Pothas (50) and Shaun Udal (12) had endured a slow and painful 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket as they too lost wickets at regular intervals. Dominic Cork was pick of the bowlers, conceding just nine off his eight overs. The win puts Derbyshire into fourth place ahead of Essex Eagles.

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