Shah's batting attack tears apart Yorkshire

Owais Shah maintained Middlesex's lead at the top of Division Two with a sparkling century as they beat Yorkshire by 16 runs at Southgate.

Owais Shah maintained Middlesex's lead at the top of Division Two with a sparkling century as they beat Yorkshire by 16 runs at Southgate.

Shah made 125 not out from 126 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes, as he guided Middlesex to 273 for six from their 45 overs. In reply Yorkshire made 257 for nine, mostly thanks to robust hitting from Anthony McGrath, who scored 96 not out from 90 balls, matching Shah's tally of five sixes.

Three of Shah's sixes came in a brutal assault on Tim Bresnan's last over, which cost 25 runs and took the gloss off a fine opening spell from the seamer. His first eight overs cost just 15 runs, but after Shah's performance he finished with no wickets for 40 from nine overs.

Worcestershire trounced Derbyshire by 111 runs to continue their pursuit of Middlesex. South African Andrew Hall made his first one-day half-century in county cricket as the Royals accelerated to 248 for seven. But the Scorpions could only manage 137 in response.

A blistering innings from Marcus North kept Durham in the promotion race and dealt a big blow to Notts' chances in Division Two. North hit an unbeaten 121, his second century of the season, to guide the Dynamos home by six wickets after a brilliant spell of spin-bowling from Graeme Bridge had limited the Outlaws to 229 for seven.

Bridge claimed season-best figures of three for 14 from his nine overs, after David Hussey and Kevin Pietersen both threatened to cut loose.

Michael Hussey struck an unbeaten 107 to inspire Gloucestershire to a six-wicket success over Kent at Cheltenham. Hussey hit 11 fours and a six in his 105-ball innings as the home side overcame Kent's 226 for eight with 7.2 overs remaining.

The acting Gloucestershire captain, Chris Taylor, also made a quickfire 60 from 58 deliveries.

Darren Robinson took Leicestershire to victory over Scotland in a match which started early so the Foxes could fly home. The Saltires, irked by their opponents' desire to dash, delayed them with a vigorous defence of their 222 for nine total. But Robinson's unbeaten 109 clinched a six-wicket victory.