Cricket: Bulbeck takes bowling honours

MATTHEW BULBECK helped Somerset complete a convincing 19-point victory over Northamptonshire inside three days at Wantage Road.

The young medium-pace bowler took 5 for 63 as the home side, needing 311 to avoid an innings defeat, were dismissed for 226 and lost by an innings and 85 runs. The 19-year-old Bulbeck returned match figures of 10 for 108 and helped Somerset to their fifth County Championship success of the season.

Nottinghamshire completed only their fourth Championship win of the season after dismissing Middlesex for just 120 in their second innings at Southgate. Vasbert Drakes took 5 for 49 to complete a match return of 11 for 113, and Paul Franks weighed in with 3 for 32. Nottinghamshire lost two wickets in attaining the 106 needed for victory.

Yorkshire beat Worcestershire by nine wickets at Headingley. Stuart Lampitt offered brave resistance with 66 not out, but the visitors were all out for 287. The Tykes lost Matthew Wood in making the required four runs in their second innings.

Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 192 runs at Derby for their fifth Championship success of the season. Graham Lloyd's 104 helped the Red Rose county to 235 in their second innings, but Derbyshire were rocked by a double early blow as they started their pursuit of a 328 for victory.

Peter Martin captured the wickets of Adrian Rollins and Tim Tweats with only 18 runs on the board, before Robin Weston steadied the ship with an unbeaten 38 as the hosts reached 90 for 3 at tea. Then Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan took charge, taking the last seven wickets for 39 runs as Derbyshire were skittled for just 135.

Durham, needing 283 runs to beat Sussex at Chester-le-Street, made a poor start in their victory quest. Jonathan Lewis, John Morris and Nick Speak were both removed with just 51 runs on the board.