CHAMPIONSHIP pacesetters Essex are within sight of an unlikely victory

after marching their way back into contention against second-placed

Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Bowled out for 75 in their first innings, the leaders dismissed their

rivals for 230 to leave themselves chasing the still-mammoth total of

349 to win. But Paul Prichard (58) and John Stephenson (38) wiped out

103 of their tough target by the close with an unbroken opening stand to

set up the prospect of an intriguing last day today.

All-rounder Phil Berry achieved the rare feat of career best bowling

and batting figures in the same match as Durham avoided the follow-on

against Middlesex at Lord's. Berry weighed in with seven for 113 and

also scored 76 with the bat, including a 6 and nine 4s, as Durham

reached 232 after having been 101 for seven.

Middlesex, who managed 366 in their first innings, finished on 12 for

no wicket second time around.

Hugh Morris became the first Glamorgan player to reach 1000 runs for

the season with an unbeaten half-century against Somerset at

Abergavenny. Morris cracked 12 boundaries in his unbeaten 58 as the

Welsh county reached 113 for two in their second innings to lead by 139

after Somerset had declared at 250 for five. Andrew Hayhurst top-scored

for the visitors with 70.

Wicketkeeper Bruce French took six catches as injury-hit

Nottinghamshire assumed a commanding position at Edgbaston. After Notts

had declared at 415 for seven, Warwickshire crashed to 232 for eight,

still needing 34 to save the follow-on.