A century from Peter Bowler set up what should be a winning total for the holders, Somerset, against Yorkshire Cricket Board at Scarborough in the third round of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. As the mighty met the minnows across the country, Bowler put on 148 for the second wicket with his skipper Jamie Cox, who made 64. Somerset were deprived of a larger total by the efforts of medium-pacer Richard Pyrah, who took five for 50 as the professionals faded from 203 for three to 255 for nine.

Suffolk managed just 128 for nine in their 50 overs against Northamptonshire at Bury St Edmunds. Darren Cousins, John Blain and Jason Brown each took two wickets each for the professionals, while Suffolk Skipper Philip Caley (35) and Kevin Shaw (34*) were the main contributors as the home side made painfully slow progress.

Lincolnshire were bowled out for just 154 by Glamorgan at Sleaford. That was something of an improvement after Andrew Davies (five for 19) and Michael Kasprowicz (three for 28) had reduced them at one stage to 21 for four.

A lightning quick half-century from Matthew Fleming set Kent up for a hefty total against Norfolk at Manor Park. The skipper made 56 off only 38 balls, including eight fours and a six. Robert Key (77) and David Fulton (62) then powered Kent to 341 for six off their 50 overs.

Leicestershire found it rather harder going on a rain-interrupted morning against Warwickshire Cricket Board at Bulls Head Ground. The county side reached just 208 for seven from their 50 overs, and that was boosted by 49 late in the innings from Vince Wells, who was unbeaten at the close. There were three wickets apiece for Naheem Sajjad and Graham Wagg.

Ireland managed a limited recovery at Clontarf against Nottinghamshire after Greg Smith and Andrew Harris helped reduce the hosts to 48 for five. Kyle McCallan (30 not out) and Derek Heasley (26) then helped lift the total to 164 off 50 overs.

At Wilton Park, 95 from wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose enabled Sussex to take command against Buckinghamshire. Ambrose, 19, shared in a second-wicket stand of 112 with Bas Zuiderent (50), and Tony Cottey then chimed in with 42 as Sussex closed on 268 for six.

The games between Devon and Yorkshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, and Wales and Durham all started late due to rain, with the day's play between Cornwall and Worcestershire and Scotland and Surrey abandoned altogether.

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