Middlesex made it three wins from three games after easing to a seven-wicket victory over Essex in the Twenty20 Cup at Chelmsford to extend their lead at the top of the South Division.

Tyron Henderson was the architect of the visitors' victory, top scoring with a quickfire 64 as well as taking three wickets.

Essex batted first but only James Foster and Graham Napier offered any resistance with an unbeaten 50 and a score of 31, respectively, while only two more players made it to double figures.

Dirk Nannes took four for 28 and Henderson three for 27 as the hosts limped to 132 all out although this was a bonus aer they had slumped to 87 for seven before Napier and Foster's 37-partnership.

In response, Middlesex cruised to victory with 23 balls remaining.

Henderson's 34-minute knock was highly impressive, coming off just 30 deliveries and including two sixes and nine fours.

Essex were leapfrogged in the table by Surrey, who won the game between the two bottom sides against Sussex at The Oval.

Abdul Razzaq was one of the main forces behind the hosts' victory, taking two wickets and scoring an unbeaten 39 to guide Surrey to their first win in this season's competition.

Sussex batted first and made a respectable 141 for five, with Chris Nash top-scoring with a 41-ball 52.

Razzaq and Matthew Spriegel claimed two wickets apiece for the loss of 23 and 16 runs, respectively, both off four overs.

In response, Surrey looked to be wobbling at 90 for five as Dwayne Smith took three wickets.

However, Razzaq and Usman Afzaal shared an unbeaten stand of 52 to guide Surrey to victory.

Northamptonshire extended their lead at the top of the Mid/West/Wales Division with a 27-run victory over second-bottom Gloucestershire at Bristol to continue their 100% record after three games.

Johann Louw and Stephen Peters both claimed three wickets, while Rikki Wessels was unbeaten on 43 from just 23 deliveries, with David Sales making a useful knock of 41 and Rob White hitting 39 to finish on 162 for five.

In response, Gloucestershire reached 135 all out, Marcus North top scoring with 36.

The match between Glamorgan and Worcestershire in Cardiff was called off because of rain before a ball was bowled.

Simon Marshall took four wickets as leaders Lancashire condemned bottom side Leicestershire to their third consecutive defeat in the North Division with a 37-run victory at Old Trafford.

Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat but after reaching a promising 163 for five, they lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of just four more runs.

Kyle Hogg top-scored with a 24-ball 44 with Mal Loye providing back-up with 34.

Jim Allenby finished with five for 21 for the Foxes.

In response, Leicestershire were grateful to HD Ackerman who made 63 with only Boeta Dippenaar (35) and Matthew Boyce (10) making double figures as the Foxes reached 130 for eight.

Marshall finished with four for 21 with Sajid Mahmood taking three for 22, both off four overs.

Yorkshire recorded their first win in three attempts as they beat Derbyshire by 11 runs at Chesterfield.

Anthony McGrath hit six sixes as he scored an unbeaten 72 off just 42 deliveries to help Yorkshire to 169 for five.

England Test skipper Michael Vaughan was the Tykes' second-highest scorer with 31, including a six and four fours.

In response, Derbyshire appeared to be making decent progress but they lost five wickets for just 34 runs which undermined their attempts.

Greg Smith scored a 42-ball 68 including one six and 10 fours but his attempts were ultimately futile.

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