LANCASHIRE Lightning claimed the National League Second Division title with a nine-wicket win over nearest rivals Northamptonshire.

Set a target of 241, the visitors claimed victory thanks to a century from former Northants batsman Mal Loye on his return to Wantage Road.

The 30-year-old made an unbeaten 104 off 99 balls with 11 fours, taking the Lightning to victory in less than 37 overs. Iain Sutcliffe (54) and Stuart Law (79no) also made valuable contributions.

Phil Jaques' 107 off 109 balls had looked to have given the Steelbacks a chance to claim the title themselves but the visitors rarely looked in trouble at the wicket.

Hampshire joined the top two in the First Division irrespective of their nine-run defeat by Derbyshire because fourth-placed Middlesex lost by nine wickets at Durham.

After the Crusaders made just 112 with Shoaib Akhtar taking four wickets, Durham took less than 12 overs to reach the target with Nicky Peng's unbeaten 66 the cornerstone of the home side's reply.

That meant Hampshire were promoted despite their pursuit of the Scorpions 172 for seven faltering after opener Simon Katich had set them on their way with 56.

Elsewhere in the Second Division, Somerset beat Sussex by 191 runs after making a titanic 377 in their innings with Ian Blackwell especially impressive.

The 25-year-old went on a whirlwind knock hitting 11 fours and three sixes as he made 111 off 45 balls with 13 fours and five sixes.

Kent's win over Warwickshire meant Leicestershire were relegated from the First Division despite beating Surrey by a convincing 168 runs, bowling out the champions for 115 in 22 overs after making 283 in their innings.

An impressive performance from James Benning did little to impede the progress of the visitors at the Oval.

The 20-year-old collected four wickets for 43 runs but Leicestershire departed the field happy with their tally which proved more than enough as five wickets for Phil DeFreitas sparked a Surrey collapse.

But it was not enough to save Leicestershire from the drop as Kent set Warwickshire a target of 268 after a solid innings underpinned by Ed Smith's 74 off 109 balls.

The home side then wiped out the visitors inside 38 overs for the cost of 163 runs.

Basement side Worcestershire were confirmed as the worst side in the First Division with a four-wicket defeat to Essex.

Kabir Ali's 93 was the only bright spot in the Worcestershire innings as they made 213 but that was comfortably beaten by Essex with three overs to spare.

Also-relegated Yorkshire lost by three wickets against Gloucestershire.