Essex ended the third day in a strong position to achieve their second win of the season, leading by 313 runs with two wickets intact.

Half-centuries from Stuart Law and Stephen Peters put the county in a dominant position after they had gained a first innings lead of 56 runs. Law hit a sparkling 58 that included nine boundaries after Paul Prichard and Nasser Hussain composed an opening partnership of 51.

The England skipper looked in good form with trademark driving in evidence until, having scored 34, he pushed forward at a ball from Kevin Innes and was adjudged leg before wicket.

Innes finished the day with 4-76, but his fellow bowlers were unable to offer him the necessary support and it was a fighting half-century from Stephen Peters that overshadowed the bowler's efforts whilst adding substance to the earlier batting efforts.

The 21-year-old batted for two hours to reach his landmark having faced 136 deliveries that included 5 boundaries in his invaluable performance. He found useful allies in Barry Hyam, who scored 22 in a partnership with Peters worth 39, and late in the day with Ashley Cowan as the pair put on an unbroken partnership for the ninth wicket worth 37 runs before rain ended play prematurely with three overs lost. Peters was still at the crease when the rains came, 56 not out.

In the morning session, Northamptonshire had been sent reeling by an impressive spell of bowling, led by Ronnie Irani who finished with figures of 5-43. That included a wickets to wickets spell of 4-1 in 41 deliveries as the visitors capitulated tamely losing their last six wickets for 31 runs.

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