Chelmsford side stay top of Division Two; Moeen hits ton for Worcs
Wednesday 27 April 2016 18:23, UK
Ryan ten Doeschate claimed four wickets as Essex wrapped up an innings and 92-run win over Northamptonshire shortly after lunch on day four at Chelmsford.
The Essex skipper (4-31) ripped through Northants' lower order, with the away side, who began proceedings on 148-4, skittled for 230 having made just 119 in their opening dig.
Jamie Porter (3-55) - the 22-year-old seizing match figures of 8-101 - and Graham Napier (3-68) were the other Essex wicket takers as Ten Doeschate's men secured their second Championship triumph in three games and increased their lead at the top of Division Two
Leicestershire remain in second spot following a draw at home to Kent, the Foxes declaring on 401-9 in their first innings and then reducing Kent to 85-2 before handshakes took place at 5.30pm.
Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove (122) chalked up his ton at the start of the day having been on 99 overnight, with former Kent man Neil Dexter (131) following suit prior to lunch.
Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond (4) failed to back-up his hundred earlier in the match, though, the 22-year-old trapped lbw by the reliable Clint McKay (2-19) before the Australian seamer also accounted for Joe Denly (9).
Stalemates also ensued in the matches between Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in Bristol and Derbyshire and Glamorgan at The 3aaa County Ground.
Gloucestershire opener Chris Dent (138no) completed his second century of the season and Jack Taylor contributed 105 from No 8 as Gareth Roderick's men declared their second innings on 382-7, a lead of 351.
The hosts sensed an unlikely victory after reducing their rivals to 49-3 but Moeen Ali's classy unbeaten 136, which contained 17 fours and four sixes, dashed their hopes, with Worcestershire ending on 210-4.
Derbyshire, meanwhile, were bowled out for 345 in reply to Glamorgan's 377, last man Andy Carter (39) captured by Michael Hogan (4-74).
Glamorgan progressed to 87-2 - skipper Jacques Rudolph unbeaten on 31 - before hail and snow left the outfield sodden and forced play to be abandoned at around 4pm.
