Leicestershire and Sussex put themselves in pole position for a victory, whilst an excellent Gloucestershire batting display ensured they would avoid defeat.
Leicestershire bowlers tear through Glamorgan batting order
Leicestershire put themselves in prime position of taking a victory from their game against Glamorgan, as an inspired bowling display put them well on top in Cardiff.
Clint McKay took his total to 65 as the visitors progressed to 427 and a 79 run lead. McKay was then terrific with the ball alongside teammate Ben Raine as the pair took five of eight wickets to give their side a great chance of making the long journey back before the close of play tomorrow.
Aneurin Donald and the experienced Jacques Rudolph gave Glamorgan hope with scores of 57 and 39 respectively, but the rest of the batting order could not produce any kind of score as the Welsh county slumped to 172-8, just 93 runs ahead.
Sussex still in command despite Graham Napier heroics
Chasing Sussex's first innings total of 360, Essex looked almost dead and buried going into day three. Yet the experienced duo of Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier gave them hope as they put on 89 for the eigth wicket, the former recording a half century and the latter just missing out.
Essex completed their innings just 40 runs behind, but Sussex opener Chris Nash was not prepared to hand over the advantage. Nash made 92, whilst supported by Matt Machan who made 47. Napier toiled away with the ball as he did with the bat, picking up five wickets, whilst Jamie Porter grabbed the other four dismissals as Sussex ended the day on 282-9, 322 runs ahead.
Batters take control in Bristol
After finding themselves 110-1 overnight and chasing Derbyshire's 444, Gloucestershire's batters put in a fine display to give them the advantage, although the match is likely to finish in a tie.
Liam Norwell and Chris Dent put them on the right track as they added 170 to take their team to 280-2 before Norwell was dismissed just after making his century. Dent continued to put a dent in Derbyshire's hopes of a victory as he made 180, whilst the pair's centuries were backed up by Hamish Marshall and Kieran Noema-Barnett who both made half centuries. The hosts finished the day on 563, 119 ahead, as they look to dismiss Derbyshire as early as possible on the final day.