Foxes extend lead thanks to Boswell

An unbeaten last-wicket partnership of 36 between the last-wicket pair of James Ormond and Scott Boswell moved Leicestershire Foxes closer to the National League title at Grace Road yesterday.

Leicestershire, the league leaders, lost their 100 per cent record on Tuesday in a one-run defeat to Somerset at Taunton. And they were facing a second straight loss as – chasing 177 to win – they slumped to 142 for 9.

But Vince Wells' spirited side pulled through thanks to the efforts of Boswell – who scored 23 from 21 balls, including one four and a six – and his fellow medium pacer Ormond, with 9 not out. It reopened the Foxes' six-point advantage over second-placed Kent, and the leaders still have a game in hand. Yorkshire, who won the toss, hit 176 for 8 from their 42 overs.

At Edgbaston, Warwickshire Bears routed Somerset by 10 wickets. The hosts bowled out the West Country side for just 120 in 42.4 overs with three wickets each for Alan Richardson and Mohammed Sheikh.

Under the Duckworth-Lewis method, a short break for rain meant the hosts were required to score 119 and they had few problems reaching their total, with Mark Wagh hitting an unbeaten 70 off 64 balls.

At Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire crushed Northamptonshire by 95 runs. The hosts made 267 for 6, then dismissed the visitors for 185. In the Second Division, promotion-chasing Glamorgan crushed bottom club Essex by 178 runs at Cardiff.