With teams starting to get into their stride in 2016, Leicestershire moved second in Division Two behind Essex, whereas Sussex and Gloucestershire earned 18 and 16 points and Derbyshire eight.

Essex lead the way after drawing with Sussex in a fairly even contest at Hove, with a run-fest at Gloucestershire ending in a stalemate.

Leicestershire complete crushing victory

Leicestershire earned themselves 23 points in their first LVCC Division Two match of the season with a comprehensive ten-wicket win over Glamorgan.

After resuming on 172-8, Glamorgan were swiftly dealt with by the Leicestershire attack as Ben Raine picked up the ninth wicket of Michael Hogan before Graham Wagg was run out by Angus Robson for 33.

Raine finished with four wickets in the innings as the visitors knocked off their required target of 115 in 36.1 overs without trouble as Paul Horton made 64 from 105 balls and Robson finished with 49.

Cook hundred not enough as Essex forced to settle for draw

Essex fell 68 runs short of picking up their second victory of 2016 at Hove.

The hosts added just six to their overnight total before Ajmal Shahzad was caught off Jamie Porter who picked up his fifth wicket of the innings to match the other five taken by fellow opening bowler Graham Napier, leaving Essex with 328 to get for victory.

In reply, England captain Alastair Cook made up for his first innings duck with an unbeaten 127 as Jesse Ryder added 35 from a rather pedestrian 97 balls and Ravi Bopara made 28.

Shahzad took three wickets and Luke Wells two as Essex finished on 266-7 in their second innings.

Alastair Cook reached his first century of the summer as Essex continued their good start to 2016. (Photo- Getty Images)

Hughes and Rutherford bat out draw in Bristol

There was also no result at The County Ground in Gloucestershire after the hosts failed to add to their overnight score, Benny Howell the last to go for a quick-fire 41 off 30 balls, Wes Durston and Hughes picking up three wickets apiece.

But Hughes was far from done for the day as he racked up 137 off 239 balls, accompanied by 78 from Hamish Rutherford as Derbyshire ended with 260-2 from 76.5 overs, Jack Taylor the only Gloucestershire bowler to take a wicket after Ben Slater was run out by Liam Norwell.

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About the author
Harry Wright
Sport Journalism at the university of Bedfordshire. MK Dons supporter, referee, cricket player, Somerset and New England Patriots fan.