Tom Lawes took five wickets as Surrey claimed three of the five points they need to be crowned county champions on the opening day against Hampshire in the Ageas Bowl.
Allrounder Lawes rolled through Hampshire’s middle order for his third five-for of the season – worth five for 27 – while Kemar Roach took three for 41.
Hampshire battled to an under-par 219 around Ben Brown’s positive 78 before Mohammad Abbas hit back Surrey, who ended the day at 47 for two, 172 behind.
Essexthe only team to capitalize on an unlikely Surrey collapse were hit by excellent innings from Rob Keogh for Northamptonshire on the Wantageweg.
With his province already relegated, the 31-year-old put on a show with a stunning 154 off just 147 balls to claim his province’s first batting bonus point at home all season.
In doing so, Keogh passed 6,000 first-class runs in his career and became Northamptonshire’s highest run-scorer in the Championship this season as they closed at 279 for six.
Threatened with relegation Knows endured a frustrating opening day at Canterbury as Lancashire recovered from 18 for three and 240 for eight to reach 327 all out at stumps.
The hosts, who went into the final round one point ahead of Middlesex, made a good start with early wickets for the returns of Matt Quinn and Nathan Gilchrist, but their optimism was short-lived.
Josh Bohannon scored 113 and put on a crucial 121 for the fifth wicket with George Balderson, who made 54, to fulfill Lancashire’s hopes of a top-three finish.
No doubt with one eye on the events in Canterbury, Middlesex – who must improve on Kent’s result or match it with at least one bonus point more than their rivals – concluded a shortened opening day against Nottinghamshire at 162 for three.
Only 42 overs were possible after a rain-delayed start and it looks crucial that the partnership between Ryan Higgins (60) and John Simpson (26) turns into something substantial on day two.
Somerset were saved by their lower order when they reached 180 for eight on the first day Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
After rain wiped out the first session, the visitors plummeted to 37 for six
Neil Wagner (55 not out) and Josh Davey (28 not out) sparked a revival.
Graham Clark and David Bedingham both scored centuries as Division Two winners Durham piled on the runs and wanted to end the season with a win Leicestershire.
The visitors, who started hoping to join their hosts in Division One next season, opted to bowl and made early progress as they dismissed Alex Lees before six.
However, Michael Jones and Scott Borthwick scored 99 for the second wicket and a subsequent 208-run partnership between Clark and Bedingham left the hosts firmly in control at 409 for five at the close.
Derbyshire dominated the game on the first day Glamorgan as a referee, Sue Redfern made history by becoming the first woman to referee a first-class men’s match in England and Wales.
Luis Reece made an unbeaten 139 and it was Lloyd who confirmed the wickets of Harry Came and Brooke Guest as the visitors reached 308 for two, ahead of Glamorgan responded with 22 without loss at stumps.
Kashif Ali chose the perfect time to post a career-best 93 Worcestershire boosted their promotion hopes by reaching 280 for five on a shortened opening day at Headingley.
Kashif, 25, had scored just 98 points in four previous appearances dating back to last summer but stepped up when it mattered for his province, who need two more points to participate Durham when claiming promotion.
Sixteen wickets fell on the first day Sussex as Gloucestershirechasing their first win of the season, the hosts reduced to 202 before closing the opening day at 136 for six.