Smith guides Worcestershire to summit

Worcestershire claimed the lead at the top of the First Division of the Norwich Union League with a six-wicket victory over Kent at Canterbury.

Chasing 224 for 7, the opener Vikram Solanki led the way with a run-a-ball 57 and the captain Graeme Hick weighed in with 44 in 48 balls before leaving Ben Smith to guide the side home with an unbeaten 54 off 72 balls.

Kent's defeat took the shine off a sixth-wicket stand of 116 between Matthew Walker (94) and Paul Nixon (60) which saved last season's champions from certain disaster at 52 for 5 after Worcestershire's Australian bowling duo of Matthew Mason and Andy Bichel shared the first four wickets to fall.

A superb all-round performance by Craig White helped Yorkshire cruise to a 135-run victory against Somerset at Scarborough. He hit 64 off 63 balls as his side posted 283 for 9 and then ripped through Somerset's middle order, taking five for 19 in six overs. Michael Burns (49) top scored for the visitors and Ian Blackwell and Keith Parsons both hit 30, but it proved in vain as Somerset were bowled out for 148.

Matthew Maynard blasted an unbeaten 80 in only 69 balls, including 11 fours, as Glamorgan raced to victory against Nottinghamshire.

Set 220 to win mainly thanks to the South African all-rounder Nicky Boje's 39, Robert Croft (36) and Ian Thomas (34) shared a half-century opening partnership before making way for Maynard and David Hemp, who hit an unbeaten 55, to increase Nottinghamshire's woes near the foot of the table.