Nottinghamshire were the day’s only winners – and big winners too - as they crushed Kent by 321 runs after bowling their opponents out for just 85 at Trent Bridge.
The hosts batted on for over an hour in the morning, with Will Young hitting 87 and Joe Clarke blazing 73 from just 40 balls to extend their second-innings lead to 406.
But any fears they might have left it too late to declare were quickly dispelled, as Dane Paterson (5-41) and the country's top wicket taker Brett Hutton (4-44) rolled Kent in only 21.3 overs.
Notts’ resounding victory lifts them to sixth place in Division One, with a 33-point cushion over Kent, who drop into the bottom two after their third straight defeat going into final red-ball break.
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They are two points better off than Lancashire, who briefly looked like they might force victory against Northants, but could not bowl them out.
In Division Two, Glamorgan moved up to
second place despite failing to force a victory – or even capture a wicket
during the final day’s play at Derby – as the home side comfortably batted out
a draw.
But they will be replaced in second by Worcestershire tomorrow, whether or not the Pears, 421 ahead overnight, can bowl out Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. If the hosts actually reach any target they are set, then Glammy woukd stay second.
Derbyshire openers Luis Reece, who
finished 200 not out, and Harry Came both hit career-best scores as rhey set a county record first-wicket partnership
by scoring 360 without loss after their side had been made to follow on.
But rain was the only winner at Scarborough,
where the match between Yorkshire and Durham was abandoned as a draw, leaving
the visitors a healthy 54 points clear at the summit and the White Rose bottom
following their hefty points deduction.
County Championship cricket returns on 3 September
Matthew Waite is dismissed in the final over, caught behind having a swing at Ollie Price.
Waite's innings of 62 from 32 balls has lifted the Pears' advantage to 421 - which is surely enough for them to declare overnight and give themselves a full day to try and force victory.
One more day left there, for the Pears to clain a victory that would take them second. In fact, even a draw would now be enough to overhaul Glamorgan.
But that is now our last ball-by-ball live text coverage until September. It will be an audio/scorecard and match report -only service tomorrow from Cheltenham College.
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 311-7
Some speculation that Worcestershire might declare tonight and give themselves a couple of overs at the home side's openers, but Brett D'Oliveira has clearly decided against that.
Two overs left for them to increase this 416 lead still further.
for Matthew Waite
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 295-7
This has been a pretty brutal knock by Matthew Waite.
He gets to 50 from only 22 balls, including six sixes and brings up the landmark with his second four, thudding across the leg-side boundary off Tom Price.
The Pears lead by exactly 400 now.
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 276-7
Maybe Worcestershire's aim is a lead of 400? They're up to 381 now after Matthew Waite smashed his fourth six, hooking Paul van Meekeren high over the fence.
Five overs left tonight, but two will be lost if there's a change of innings.
for Paul van Meekeren
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 266-7
Wickets tumbling now and Paul van Meekeren has claimed his first five-wicket haul in the County Championship!
Joe Leach lasted just four balls, hitting one of them to the boundary before being neatly caught by the diving James Bracey.
WICKET Libby c J Taylor b van Meekeren 117
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 262-6
Jake Libby's excellent knock is brought to an end as he plays Paul van Meekeren uppishly on the leg side and perishes in the chase for quick runs.
However, his job is done as Worcestershire contemplate the possibility of a declaration before stumps.
Joe Leach is in to join Matthew Waite.
'The rest have to catch us' - Durham coach
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell was pretty relaxed about having to spend two wasted two days at sodden Scarbrorough - as the eight points from the draw actually increased the Divison Two pacesetters' lead going into the One-Day Cup break.
"We have dominated the competition so far," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We have put ourselves in a position where, come September, we have such a lead, the rest are going to have to try and catch us.”
Durham are now 54 points clear of nearest challengers Glamorgan, possibly less if Worcestershire win at Cheltenham tomorrow, with Sussex and Leicestershire very much still in the mix.
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But his main concern was the frustation of not getting to entertain the always discerning Scarborough crowd
He added: “It’s disappointing isn’t it? I am new to all of this but, when you play at an outground like Scarborough and you take cricket to the people, you want to play and put on a good show for people.
"Unfortunately the ground copped so much water yesterday and last night it is not surprising we couldn’t get back out there. It’s not that it was wet on top, it was soft and moving around under foot. And you don't want players getting injured."
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 248-5
How many do Worcestershire need before they feel they can set the home side a target?
Matthew Waite certainly isn't hanging around - he drives Paul van Meekeren for four and then pulls his next ball high over midwicket for a maximum as the Pears stretch their lead above 350.
There are 10 overs remaining tonight, as long as the light holds.
WICKET D'Oliveira c O Price b van Meekeren 46
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 227-5
It looked as though Paul van Meekeren was having a nightmare over, overstepping the mark three times and switching from over the wicket to around and back again.
But it ends up being a good one for the Gloucestershire seamer, who persuades Pears captain Brett D'Oliveira to dab a short ball straight ton backward point and end the fifth-wicket partnership of 114.
Matthew Waite comes in with Worcestershire leading by 332.
for Jake Libby
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 210-4
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They say 'never run on a misfield', but Jake Libby ignores that advice after clipping Ollie Price away on the leg side and scampering through for two to bring up his hundred.
It's a third ton of the season for Libby and this one comes up in 154 balls as Worcestershire continue to build a healthy advantage.
Pears getting on with it
Worcestershire 406 & 193-4, Gloucestershire 301
The Worcestershire lead is now up to 298.
The Pears are getting on with it.
The stand between captain Brett D'Oliveira and his vice-captain Jake Libby is up to 80, And it is looking increasingly like there can only be one winner of this game, unless Gloucestershire resist well tomorrow.
18 overs left after this one.
BreakingLANCASHIRE DRAW WITH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 213-5
The players shake hands.
Northants have batted 100 overs to secure a very hard-fought and well deserved draw.
Captain Luke Procter ends on 27 from 125 balls and James Sales with 35 from 92 balls.
They have batted for 25.3 overs to see their team to parity.
Lancashire draw a seventh game of the season and despite their 12 points, they remain seventh.
Northants stay bottom and pick up eight points, but they showed admirable resolve on this final day.
Post update
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 211-5
We're nearly halfway through the final hour.
Northants lead by nine. Lancashire need a miracle.
Northants lead
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 207-5
Luke Procter nudges Northants into the lead.
And James Sales strikes another four to take that lead to five.
up for Northants
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 201-5
Northants captain Luke Procter has been hit on the helmet by a ball that got up off a length, but he is still there.
And now the 200 is up.
The lights are on
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 197-5
It has gone very grey at Old Trafford and the floodlights are now on.
29 overs left at Cheltenham College
Worcestershire 406 & 146-4, Gloucestershire 301
A lot of cricket left to be played in the one Championship game still only in its third day - and it will be interesting to see how this game looks at the close of play, in 29 overs' time.
Worcestershire now lead by 251 - and may want another 100 before declaring. But, if they can score quickly now, that would give them an option of inserting Gloucestershire before the close and putting some pressure on, ahead of tomorrow's final day.
Live Reporting
Ged Scott, Adam Lanigan and Ben Kosky
All times stated are UK
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Latest PostThat's All Folks
Nottinghamshire were the day’s only winners – and big winners too - as they crushed Kent by 321 runs after bowling their opponents out for just 85 at Trent Bridge.
The hosts batted on for over an hour in the morning, with Will Young hitting 87 and Joe Clarke blazing 73 from just 40 balls to extend their second-innings lead to 406.
But any fears they might have left it too late to declare were quickly dispelled, as Dane Paterson (5-41) and the country's top wicket taker Brett Hutton (4-44) rolled Kent in only 21.3 overs.
Notts’ resounding victory lifts them to sixth place in Division One, with a 33-point cushion over Kent, who drop into the bottom two after their third straight defeat going into final red-ball break.
They are two points better off than Lancashire, who briefly looked like they might force victory against Northants, but could not bowl them out.
In Division Two, Glamorgan moved up to second place despite failing to force a victory – or even capture a wicket during the final day’s play at Derby – as the home side comfortably batted out a draw.
But they will be replaced in second by Worcestershire tomorrow, whether or not the Pears, 421 ahead overnight, can bowl out Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. If the hosts actually reach any target they are set, then Glammy woukd stay second.
Derbyshire openers Luis Reece, who finished 200 not out, and Harry Came both hit career-best scores as rhey set a county record first-wicket partnership by scoring 360 without loss after their side had been made to follow on.
But rain was the only winner at Scarborough, where the match between Yorkshire and Durham was abandoned as a draw, leaving the visitors a healthy 54 points clear at the summit and the White Rose bottom following their hefty points deduction.
County Championship cricket returns on 3 September
Division One
Southampton: Hampshire v Somerset
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire v Lancashire
The Oval: Surrey v Warwickshire
Chelmsford: Essex v Middlesex (starts Sept 4)
Division Two
Chester-le-Street: Durham v Sussex
Leicester: Leicestershire v Gloucestershire
New Road: Worcestershire v Glamorgan
Scarborough: Yorkshire v Derbyshire
Close of play scoreboard
Division One
Manchester: Northamptonshire 342 & 154-4, Lancashire 544-7 dec. Match Drawn. Lancashire 13 pts, Northants 8 pts
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire (350 & 372-6 dec, 22 pts) beat Kent (316 & 85, 3 pts) by 321 runs
Division Two
Derby: Glamorgan 521-8 dec, Derbyshire 318 & 360-0. Match Drawn. Glamorgan 13 pts, Derbyshire 9 pts
Scarborough: Yorkshire 340, Durham 106-1. Match abandoned as a draw. Yorkshire 7 pts, Durham 8 pts
Cheltenham College: Worcestershire 406 & 316-8, Gloucestershire 301
Close of play at Cheltenham College
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 316-8
Matthew Waite is dismissed in the final over, caught behind having a swing at Ollie Price.
Waite's innings of 62 from 32 balls has lifted the Pears' advantage to 421 - which is surely enough for them to declare overnight and give themselves a full day to try and force victory.
One more day left there, for the Pears to clain a victory that would take them second. In fact, even a draw would now be enough to overhaul Glamorgan.
But that is now our last ball-by-ball live text coverage until September. It will be an audio/scorecard and match report -only service tomorrow from Cheltenham College.
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 311-7
Some speculation that Worcestershire might declare tonight and give themselves a couple of overs at the home side's openers, but Brett D'Oliveira has clearly decided against that.
Two overs left for them to increase this 416 lead still further.
for Matthew Waite
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 295-7
This has been a pretty brutal knock by Matthew Waite.
He gets to 50 from only 22 balls, including six sixes and brings up the landmark with his second four, thudding across the leg-side boundary off Tom Price.
The Pears lead by exactly 400 now.
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 276-7
Maybe Worcestershire's aim is a lead of 400? They're up to 381 now after Matthew Waite smashed his fourth six, hooking Paul van Meekeren high over the fence.
Five overs left tonight, but two will be lost if there's a change of innings.
for Paul van Meekeren
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 266-7
Wickets tumbling now and Paul van Meekeren has claimed his first five-wicket haul in the County Championship!
Joe Leach lasted just four balls, hitting one of them to the boundary before being neatly caught by the diving James Bracey.
WICKET Libby c J Taylor b van Meekeren 117
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 262-6
Jake Libby's excellent knock is brought to an end as he plays Paul van Meekeren uppishly on the leg side and perishes in the chase for quick runs.
However, his job is done as Worcestershire contemplate the possibility of a declaration before stumps.
Joe Leach is in to join Matthew Waite.
'The rest have to catch us' - Durham coach
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell was pretty relaxed about having to spend two wasted two days at sodden Scarbrorough - as the eight points from the draw actually increased the Divison Two pacesetters' lead going into the One-Day Cup break.
"We have dominated the competition so far," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We have put ourselves in a position where, come September, we have such a lead, the rest are going to have to try and catch us.”
Durham are now 54 points clear of nearest challengers Glamorgan, possibly less if Worcestershire win at Cheltenham tomorrow, with Sussex and Leicestershire very much still in the mix.
But his main concern was the frustation of not getting to entertain the always discerning Scarborough crowd
He added: “It’s disappointing isn’t it? I am new to all of this but, when you play at an outground like Scarborough and you take cricket to the people, you want to play and put on a good show for people.
"Unfortunately the ground copped so much water yesterday and last night it is not surprising we couldn’t get back out there. It’s not that it was wet on top, it was soft and moving around under foot. And you don't want players getting injured."
Post update
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 248-5
How many do Worcestershire need before they feel they can set the home side a target?
Matthew Waite certainly isn't hanging around - he drives Paul van Meekeren for four and then pulls his next ball high over midwicket for a maximum as the Pears stretch their lead above 350.
There are 10 overs remaining tonight, as long as the light holds.
WICKET D'Oliveira c O Price b van Meekeren 46
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 227-5
It looked as though Paul van Meekeren was having a nightmare over, overstepping the mark three times and switching from over the wicket to around and back again.
But it ends up being a good one for the Gloucestershire seamer, who persuades Pears captain Brett D'Oliveira to dab a short ball straight ton backward point and end the fifth-wicket partnership of 114.
Matthew Waite comes in with Worcestershire leading by 332.
for Jake Libby
Gloucs 301 v Worcs 406 & 210-4
They say 'never run on a misfield', but Jake Libby ignores that advice after clipping Ollie Price away on the leg side and scampering through for two to bring up his hundred.
It's a third ton of the season for Libby and this one comes up in 154 balls as Worcestershire continue to build a healthy advantage.
Pears getting on with it
Worcestershire 406 & 193-4, Gloucestershire 301
The Worcestershire lead is now up to 298.
The Pears are getting on with it.
The stand between captain Brett D'Oliveira and his vice-captain Jake Libby is up to 80, And it is looking increasingly like there can only be one winner of this game, unless Gloucestershire resist well tomorrow.
18 overs left after this one.
BreakingLANCASHIRE DRAW WITH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 213-5
The players shake hands.
Northants have batted 100 overs to secure a very hard-fought and well deserved draw.
Captain Luke Procter ends on 27 from 125 balls and James Sales with 35 from 92 balls.
They have batted for 25.3 overs to see their team to parity.
Lancashire draw a seventh game of the season and despite their 12 points, they remain seventh.
Northants stay bottom and pick up eight points, but they showed admirable resolve on this final day.
Post update
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 211-5
We're nearly halfway through the final hour.
Northants lead by nine. Lancashire need a miracle.
Northants lead
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 207-5
Luke Procter nudges Northants into the lead.
And James Sales strikes another four to take that lead to five.
up for Northants
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 201-5
Northants captain Luke Procter has been hit on the helmet by a ball that got up off a length, but he is still there.
And now the 200 is up.
The lights are on
Lancashire 544-7 dec v Northamptonshire 342 & 197-5
It has gone very grey at Old Trafford and the floodlights are now on.
29 overs left at Cheltenham College
Worcestershire 406 & 146-4, Gloucestershire 301
A lot of cricket left to be played in the one Championship game still only in its third day - and it will be interesting to see how this game looks at the close of play, in 29 overs' time.
Worcestershire now lead by 251 - and may want another 100 before declaring. But, if they can score quickly now, that would give them an option of inserting Gloucestershire before the close and putting some pressure on, ahead of tomorrow's final day.