Twenty20 Round-up: Hodge century is in vain as Notts pull away from the northern pack

This season's domestic Twenty20 competition has not been an overwhelming success. Crowds have been down on last year as the number of matches – and crucially, the price of tickets – has gone up. That said, as the competition finally reaches what might very kindly be described as boiling point there are still plenty of counties still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

Nottinghamshire lead the way in the North group and yesterday they chased down what had looked an imposing Leicestershire total with impressive ease. The Australian Brad Hodge had hit his first Twenty20 century in a total of 182 for the home side but Matt Wood – with 61 – and Ali Brown, with 55 ensured Notts got home with nine balls to spare at Grace Road.

All the other sides in the North group might realistically harbour hopes of a quarter-final place, with Yorkshire fourth on 11 points and Worcestershire bottom on seven. The former's chances suffered yesterday at Headingley, where they lost by 34 runs to Warwickshire. Derbyshire were also winners yesterday, over Lancashire.

Things are much the same in the South Group, although Sussex have been dominant. Essex moved into second yesterday with a victory over Hampshire that owed much to 54 from Grant Flower. Marcus Trescothick hit 83 off 38 balls for Somerset in a mismatch at Taunton, Middlesex going down by 79 runs, a huge amount in this form of the game.

Surrey, whose Twenty20 form has been far better than their Championship efforts this season, nonetheless lost to Glamorgan while Kent climbed off the bottom with victory over Gloucestershire.