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Cricket

Ian Blackwell ensured Somerset picked up maximum batting points as their push for the LV County Championship title continued at the Rose Bowl.

Blackwell went from 104 overnight to 129 as the visitors were all out for 436 in reply to Hampshire's 316 on the final day of a match disrupted by bad weather.

Somerset are on course to replace Nottinghamshire as the Division One leaders after picking up maximum bonus points in this match. The home side lost Jimmy Adams in their second innings to lie on 28 for one, a deficit of 92 runs.

Joe Denly scored a century as Kent pushed home their advantage against Lancashire at Canterbury.

Kent, who had scored 283 in their first innings and then bowled out Lancashire for a paltry 125, continued to stretch their lead on day three. The home side reached lunch on 255 for two to lead by 413 runs.

Sussex's hopes of retaining the title were fading at The Oval where Surrey went into lunch 282 runs to the good. Replying to Surrey's first-innings total of 455, Sussex were 173 for five at lunch with Murray Goodwin having been run out for 55.

Essex extended their lead to 85 runs over Division Two leaders Worcestershire at Colchester. The home side had started day three on 10 without loss in their second innings and by the interval had moved on to 61 for two.

Kadeer Ali was unbeaten on 111 as struggling Gloucestershire continued to frustrate Northamptonshire at Bristol.

With the match in its final day after lots of time was lost to bad weather, the home side were 242 for three in reply to the visitors' first-innings total of 349.

HD Ackerman was unbeaten on 79 as Leicestershire trailed Middlesex by 108 runs at Lord's. The visitors were 259 for five in reply to Middlesex's 367.