Goodwin guides Sussex to top of southern standings

Murray Goodwin carried Sussex to the top of the C&G Trophy South Conference with an unbeaten 158 against Essex at Chelmsford. The home captain, Ronnie Irani, helped his side to 296 for 6 with 132 not out.

Ravi Bopara and Andy Flower scored half-centuries for Essex but Goodwin swung the game Sussex's way in a 156-run fifth-wicket stand with Carl Hopkinson, who made 64.

Gloucestershire claimed a five-wicket win over Glamorgan in a game reduced to 36 overs a side at Bristol. Mark Hardinges was the pick of the Gloucestershire bowlers as Glamorgan were restricted to 168, Robert Croft top-scoring with 27. Ian Harvey's 53 set up the successful run chase and Chris Taylor, with 34 not out, finished the job.

Ed Joyce's 95 and Ed Smith's 81 not out helped Middlesex beat Ireland by nine wickets at Lord's. Chad Keegan took 4 for 24 as the Irish were bowled out for 184 before Joyce - an Irishman - and Smith looked like knocking the runs off on their own. Joyce was finally dismissed by Ant Botha with the score on 181.

Darren Lehmann maintained his fine form as Yorkshire ended their rivals Lancashire's unbeaten start in the North Conference. The Australian Test batsman hit an unbeaten 92 at Headingley as the white rose overcame the red by six wickets.

Lancashire had set a testing target of 288 after 95 from Mal Loye but Lehmann, after worthy contributions from Craig White - with 59 - and Anthony McGrath - with 54 - led Yorkshire home with a superb 69-ball innings.

A century from Phil Jaques and four wickets from Zaheer Khan lifted Worcestershire into second place after they beat Northamptonshire by 50 runs at New Road.

Jaques' 119, supported by 60 from Ben Smith, helped the hosts to 256 for 6 before Khan took 4 for 30 to cut through the visitors' top order.

Chris Rogers hit 51 and the former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener smashed 85 to arrest Northants' decline but 3 for 35 from Gareth Batty helped the Royals to hold on.

Derbyshire slipped to third as Ryan Watson carried Scotland to an eight-wicket win at Derby. Watson hit 108 not out after putting on 99 with Ian Stanger as the Scots eased home with more than nine overs to spare. Derbyshire had been bowled out for 180, with Ian Moran and Dewald Nel taking three wickets each.