Blackwell's blast sets champions on road to victory

While opener Kyle Coetzer anchored their pursuit of 260 in 57 overs, continuing his excellent start with a polished 72, Blackwell turned what threatened to be a scramble into a stroll.

Durham needed 139 in 27 overs when the former Somerset all-rounder went in, but once he had stroked 20 off his first six balls the pressure was off.

James Tomlinson had been the only real threat for Hampshire, taking 2-20 in two excellent five-over spells. But when Nic Pothas gambled by replacing him with left-arm spinner Danny Briggs, the teenager's second ball was smashed for a straight six by Blackwell.

Following his 83 in the first innings, Blackwell also cleared the rope off Sean Ervine on the way to a 36-ball half-century. The target was 44 off 10 overs when he departed for 62, chipping Briggs to midwicket, leaving young Ben Stokes and Phil Mustard to secure victory with 23 balls to spare.

Stokes was on 27 and Mustard reached 32 by finishing the match with a six off Briggs.

In Division Two, Derbyshire captain Chris Rogers steered his side to an eight-wicket victory over Glamorgan before lunch on the final day at Derby.

Rogers made 51 not out as Derbyshire reached their target of 121 with few alarms against an attack which badly missed the experience of off-spinner Robert Croft.

Glamorgan needed early wickets to have any chance but although they removed Paul Borrington in the sixth over, they could not build on that breakthrough.

Derbyshire had lost Wayne Madsen shortly before the close on Friday but they went into the fourth day needing only another 95 to secure a second championship win of the season.

Stephen Peters made a magnificent 183 not out as Northamptonshire chased down 394 to beat Middlesex by six wickets.

Peters hit 17 fours in his 252-ball innings and received good support from Alex Wakely (87) and Rob White (40) to see his side to 395-4 and 20 points to Middlesex's six.

Surrey and Worcestershire claimed nine apiece after the Pears clung on for a draw.

Mark Ramprakash (82) and Steven Davies (69no) helped Surrey declare on 239-8 and set their visitors 268 to win.

Moeen Ali made 70 not out and Vikram Solanki added 44 but wickets fell steadily to make the chase an unrealistic prospect.

Gareth Batty took 3-75 against his former employers but Alan Richardson negotiated 16 balls for nought not out to help Moeen take them to 170-8.