Title race hots up

Charlotte Edwards led Kent to glory in 2007 but Sussex currently lead Division One

The ECB LV women's County Championship looks set for a dramatic conclusion this week with each side playing three games in as many days, starting on Tuesday, at Taunton, the ome of women's cricket.

Sussex, a side packed with England internationals, are the team to beat in Division One having won all their three matches to date including a six-wicket win over defending champions Kent in May.

However, with three games in succession, Kent, who are led by England captain Charlotte Edwards, know there are enough points at stake for the lead the change hands.

Kent face Sussex on Thursday in what will be the final game of the season.

Nottinghamshire and Berkshire, currently sitting third and fourth, will be keen to avoid relegation.

Division Two is the most open with just five points separating the top-three sides - Surrey, Somerset and Lancashire.

In the latest round of fixtures, Surrey trounced Lancashire by seven wickets having bowled them out for just 77, while Somerset eased to an eight-wicket win over basement side Warwickshire with Anya Shrubsole hitting an unbeaten 56 as they chased 156 to win.

Yorkshire look firm favourites to lift the Division Three crown after maintaining their perfect record in their last outing.

Chasing 116 to beat Cheshire, Yorkshire limped over the finishing line thanks to Rochelle Petty who hit 22 to seal a narrow one-wicket win. Earlier in the day Claire Atkinson took 4-25 to end Cheshire's hopes of a match-winning total.

Only four points separate second-placed Middlesex and bottom side Derbyshire.

In Division Four, Essex are enjoying the view from the summit after winning all three matches, including a recent eight-wicket triumph over nearest rivals Staffordshire.

In a one-sided game, Beth Wild shone with bat and ball - she took 2-20 from 10 overs and scored a half-century - while Helen Letch added a quickfire 56 at the top of the order as Essex successfully overhauled the hosts' 168 all out.

Worcestershire and Hampshire make up the final two places in the division.