Ed Joyce made a welcome return to form as he helped his side overcome Warwickshire to get some welcome championships points.

The left-hander made 72 in the second innings after his 16, as he put his recent lean spell behind him. He stroked 10 fours and a six to help Sussex declare on 245 for 9, which set up a 226 run win.

William Porterfield made 12 and 0, while Boyd Rankin took 3 for 73 and 3 for 42 in the losing cause.

Paul Stirling didn't have much success against Yorkshire, making 4 and 0 in the 220 run loss to the new championship leaders.

Tim Murtagh claimed 2 for 51 and 3 for 64 in the defeat, while Eoin Morgan was the Fred Boycott 'Dig-In Trophy' winner for his 29 from 137 balls.

Earlier in the month, Stirling had enjoyed much happier times, scoring 56 and 60 not out to top the national averages as Middlesex drew with Somerset.

George Dockrell scored a valuable 27 and 15 not out as Somerset beat Northants by 52 runs - he also took 1-27 from 17 overs in the hard fought win.

William Porterfield was also instrumental as The Bears crushed Durham by an innings and 188 runs - the left-hander hitting a fluent 90.

In the Second Division, Gary Wilson selflessly declared on 97, and claimed four victims as Surrey claimed a 9 wicket win over Glamorgan.

He was in the runs again versus Kent this week, making 84 and 27, but that wasn't enough to prevent the Oval side from slipping to an 89 run defeat.

Kent were also victorious over Niall O'Brien's Leicestershire, with the Dubliner making 27 and 33 against his former club.

O'Brien was also on the losing side as Worcestershire beat the Foxes by 204 runs. He hit 11 fours in a vailiant 57 after making just 12 in the first innings, and also claimed four dismissals.

Stuart Poynter also donned the gloves for Durham in the 50 over game against Sri Lanka A. Poynter made an entertaining 36 - he would go on to greater achievements against the same opponents in an Irish jersey in Belfast.