Round-Up: Onions relishes wet conditions

Durham's Graham Onions excelled against Middlesex, beating his previous career-best figures of 4 for 82, taken in the first innings of this First Division match with Middlesex, with a second highly impressive four-wicket haul, ending with match figures of 8 for 138. His performance earned Durham their second win of the season and consigned Middlesex to their third consecutive defeat. Middlesex resumed on 87 for 4 pursuing a target of 368 but only Jamie Dalrymple (71) offered any resistance in damp conditions at Riverside. The Middlesex director of cricket, John Emburey, believed a defining moment was when Ed Joyce dropped Jimmy Maher on the first day, when he was on four. Maher completed a gritty century leaving the Irishman Joyce to rue his and Middlesex's luck.

After a declaration from each side, Essex were set a target of 347 to win against Somerset at Taunton. Mark Pettini made his maiden first-class century and was eventually run out on 124. The wicketkeeper James Foster, reminded the England selectors of his credentials, leading Essex to victory with an unbeaten 82. Foster, who last played Test cricket four years ago, was supported by Ryan ten Doeschate (50) and they allowed Essex to romp home with five overs and three wickets to spare. Somerset's four spinners claimed just two wickets.

In a high-scoring affair at Canterbury, Yorkshire batsmen Matthew Wood (92) and Anthony McGrath (123*) ensured a draw after compiling a second-wicket stand of 177 from 71 overs, despite their side trailing by 151 runs following their first innings. Kent operated with two spinners but could not force victory due to the batsmen's resistance.