After Warwickshire had predictably polished off Nottinghanmshire earlier in the day, Lancashire pulled off an amazing last-over victory at Liverpool to go into the final round of fixtures just three points adrift of the leaders.
Stephen Moore's 169 not out set up the declaration, challenging Hampshire to reach 361 in 85 overs. The bottom side would have loved to win but instead Lancashire's spin duo of Gary Keedy and Simon Kerrigan left Hampshire battling to stay in the match. It was old-fashioned block and leave cricket but young Kerrigan, in only his third Championship match of the season, made steady inroads into the batting during the final session until there was only Neil McKenzie and tail-ender James Tomlinson remaining. They stayed together for more than 21 overs, scoring 19 runs, of which the number eleven contributed a solitary single, but it was the established batsman McKenzie who eventually gave the edge to Tom Smith with just a few minutes remaining. Not only did it hand 22 points to Lancashire but it also left Hampshire with a mere six, and still bottom of Division One.
Meanwhile at Edgbaston, it was all about the seamers. After Warwickshire's massive 574-7 declared, helped by three centuries (from Westwood, Troughton and Clarke), they had bowled Notts out for 238. The fourth day started with the outgoing champions staring defeat in the face but with opener Alex Hales in defiant mood. A shame his colleagues couldn't stay with him. The recent England one-day recruit carried his bat for 106 but the innings finished on 222, Chris Wright taking 5-74.
Sussex reached safety by planting Worcestershire deep in the doo-doos, beating them by 251 runs. Batsman Joe Gatting and bowler Monty Panesar were their star performers. At Headingley, Yorkshire defeated weakened Somerset by six wickets in a rain-affected match. Ryan Sidebottom's outstanding match figures of 11-98 proved decisive, although Jonny Bairstow's half-century steered the Tykes to triumph on the final day. Their season is over and will almost certainly be relegated. Their only hope is for Worcestershire to be slaughtered by Durham next week without picking up a single bonus point, an extremely improbably scenario!
In Division Two, Middlesex remain on top but, having lost two whole days to the weather, could not defeat Glamorgan and make sure of promotion. If they defeat Derbyshire next week, they will indeed go up, but their opponents will be buoyed by their victory over Kent by 101 runs. Wes Durston was the main hero, taking 4-45 to accompany his first innings century. The Somerset reject has enjoyed a wonderful season for the county widely expected to prop up the rest.
Northamptonshire could only sit and watch as Surrey beat Essex to move within one point of them. Chris Jordan wrapped up the last three wickets, each caught by Ramprakash, and you'd have to fancy the Londoners to finally repay the considerable investment in their salaries. Northants will have to play Gloucestershire, who easily defeated woeful lowly Leicestershire by ten wickets. David Payne claimed nine wickets in the match, including 6-26 in the first innings. Leicester will now be playing purely for pride next week, but their opponents Middlesex have a 2012 place in Division One at stake and must surely fancy their chances. Gloucestershire still have a chance of promotion and they can leapfrog Northants into second place.
It's all set for a cracking finale!
