Nottinghamshire snatch title

Nottinghamshire snatched the LV= County Championship First Division title away from Somerset on a thrilling final day of the season.

Nottinghamshire looked second favourites to win their first title since 2005 heading into the final day after the opening three days of their match at Lancashire were ruined by rain.

But Chris Read's side remarkably made up the six points they trailed Somerset, who could only draw at Durham, to finish level with the south west county and claim the title on account of having won more games during the season.

Nottinghamshire made up the ground after they claimed maximum batting points, on the back of Adam Voges' century, before they took three quick wickets to secure the remaining point they required.

Somerset had the chance to clinch the title themselves when they bowled out Durham late in the day at Chester-le-Street to leave them needing 180 from 17 overs.

But Marcus Trescothick's side lost three early wickets to ruin their chase, before settling on a draw, which proved insufficient as Nottinghamshire snuck home.

Nottinghamshire declared on 400 for nine, just reaching the target they required thanks to a 10-run partnership between tailenders Darren Pattinson and Ryan Sidebottom.

A stunned Yorkshire saw their title hopes dashed in 44 crazy minutes against Kent at Headingley, when their last nine wickets crashed for 37 runs in the space of 55 balls. They were routed for 130 which left Kent with 90 to make for victory - and they suffered a few scares on the way before winning by four wickets.

The win was not enough to save Kent, who were relegated alongside Essex, while Yorkshire's only consolation was that they ended a splendid first season under Andrew Gale's captaincy in third place in the table.

Warwickshire secured their Division One safety with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. Chris Woakes (five for 34) caused the damage as Hants, resuming at the start of their second innings 85 runs behind, could only manage 132 all out.