The ball continued to dominate on day two at Southport as Nottinghamshire again finished in the ascendancy against LV= County Championship title hopefuls Lancashire despite Glen Chapple's heroics.

The Lancashire innings was wrapped up for 179 to give Notts a first-innings lead of 24, Chapple and Kyle Hogg putting on a quick 30 for the ninth wicket as Andre Adams took six for 71.

Notts slipped to 139 for seven in reply on a lively wicket as Chapple moved towards figures of six for 70, but Alex Hales made 50 and Graeme White was unbeaten on 54 to lift them to 233, setting Lancashire 258 to win. They closed on eight for no wicket.

Marcus Trescothick reached his hundred as Somerset made a superb start in response to Worcestershire's total of 488 at New Road.

The hosts subsided somewhat from 367 for three overnight as Alexei Kervezee failed to add to his 68 and Moeen Ali feel for 158, though Ben Scott and Jack Shantry added 70 for the ninth wicket.

But Trescothick powered to 106 not out by the close, with Arul Suppiah contributing 86 to an unbroken stand of 198 in 60 overs.

Division Two leaders Northamptonshire strengthened their position by dismissing Glamorgan for 252 at Swansea.

James Middlebrook tood four for 63 - his best figures for the county - and Chaminda Vaas three for 50 as only Stewart Walters offered much resistance for the Dragons, the former Surrey man eventually stranded on 81 not out.

In reply, Northamptonshire openers Stephen Peters (28) and Mal Loye (35) took their side to 67 for nought at the close.

Nearest pursuers Gloucestershire slumped to 286 all out as Surrey openers Yasir Arafat and Tim Linley ran riot at Cheltenham.

Arafat took five for 86 and Linley four for 59 while Will Gidman t