County champions continue to toil

Lancashire's shambling defence of their LV= County Championship Division One title looks likely to extend to six winless matches.

Warwickshire ended day two firmly on top at Edgbaston.

Rikki Clarke scored his second championship century of the season against Lancashire, following his 140 at Liverpool with an unbeaten 123 to see his side to 557 for six declared.

Lancashire then buckled under the pressure to reach 61 for five in response, Chris Wright taking two for 24 and the returning Chris Woakes with two for seven.

Somerset continued to dictate terms in their meeting with Surrey.

The hosts closed on 286 for six in response to Somerset's foreboding 512 for nine declared.

Surrey, who need another 77 to avoid the prospect of following on, were indebted to a third-wicket partnership of 122 in 29 overs between centurion Steven Davies (104) and Zander de Bruyn (52) for their slender grasp on the game.

Moeen Ali battled to keep Worcestershire afloat in a hard-fought second day against Sussex at New Road.

The left-hander made 85 from 179 balls as the home side reached 231 for seven - still trailing by 84 - after their former seamer Steve Magoffin had shone with bat and ball for Sussex.

The 32-year-old Australian smashed an unbeaten 41 to secure a third bonus point while leading Sussex to 315 and then removed compatriot Michael Klinger in a faltering start by Worcestershire.

In Division Two, leaders Derbyshire moved into a strong position against Glamorgan at Derby courtesy of twin hundreds from Martin Guptill and Wayne Madsen.

The home side closed on 335 for five, a lead of 99, after Guptill survived three drops to make 132 and Madsen went unbeaten for his 122no.

Marcus North's three for 40 and Michael Reed's first two first-class wickets were the highpoints for the Welshmen.

Hampshire had Yorkshire in some trouble at Headingley, with the home team 178 short of the follow-on mark at 100 for three.

Rain kept the sides off until 2.30pm but there was still plenty of time for Hampshire to reach 427 all out and make early inroads into the Tykes order.

Simon Katich fell four short of his double-century for Hampshire but wicketkeeper Michael Bates did reach three figures before being run out for 103.

Phil Jaques is Yorkshire's best hope of success tomorrow and resumes on 59.

Kent made a faltering reply to Northamptonshire's 418 all out at Canterbury.

Centurion David Sales finally fell for 140 and David Willey made a career-best 64 as Northamptonshire built their total, while Northamptonshire managed 123 for three in reply.

Andrew Hall took two for 19 against his former club - including skipper Rob Key for 48 - with Lee Daggett taking the other wicket.

At Grace Road, Leicestershire took the driving seat against Essex with late wickets for Nathan Buck and Wayne White.

Buck had Adam Wheater caught behind and White trapped Tom Westley lbw for 81 with the last ball of the day, to leave Essex on 239 for five - still 133 behind the home side's first innings total of 372.

David Masters earlier completed a six-wicket haul at the start of the day as Leicestershire suffered a late order collapse.