Worcestershire Rapids maintained their spot at the top of the T20 Blast North Group by thrashing West Midlands rivals Birmingham Bears at New Road on Friday.

Jack Shantry and Chris Russell took three wickets apiece for the hosts as Birmingham limped to 133-8, with England batsman Jonathan Trott contributing 39.

Shoaib Malik top scored with 50 for the Bears, but Worcestershire's prolific captain Daryl Mitchell made 62 not out at the top of the order as his side won by eight wickets, with more than five overs to spare.

In another clash between local counties, Nottinghamshire Outlaws beat Derbyshire Falcons by 27 runs to win for the second time in as many nights and move up to fourth place in the North division.

As they did against Leicestershire Foxes on Thursday, the Outlaws posted a daunting 200-plus total as in-form Riki Wessels followed up his 66 with an unbeaten 95, from just 51 balls, at Trent Bridge.

Wayne Madsen and Gareth Cross both made half-centuries in Derbyshire's chase, but they were always behind the rate as Luke Fletcher recorded figures of 2-29 from his four overs.

In the South Group, leaders Essex Eagles edged a close contest against Middlesex Panthers at Chelmsford to record their fourth consecutive victory, with Tim Phillips the hero with the bat.

The number eight smashed 33 from only 13 deliveries as the home side knocked off 154 with two balls remaining, with Mark Pettini (42) and skipper Ryan ten Doeschate (34) also chipping in with important runs.

Middlesex may have made more than their 153-5 had Neil Dexter not ran out partner Eoin Morgan when the England star was flying on 69 off 46 balls, with the rest of the Panthers struggling to get going.

It also went right down to the wire at The Ageas Bowl, where Hampshire made 180-6, with captain Jimmy Adams leading from the front with 69 not out, well supported by James Vince (39) and Glenn Maxwell (30).

Benny Howell's cameo of 50 from 22 balls for Gloucestershire came in a losing cause. He was ran out by Matt Coles, who also took 2-29 from four overs and ran out Cameron Herring.

Tom Smith smashed four boundaries in a quickfire 30 as he and Howell nearly took Gloucestershire over the line, but the visitors fell two runs short, with Will Smith (3-26) the pick of the Hampshire attack.

Andrew Flintoff did not feature for Lancashire Lightning, but the Red Rose still cruised to a 57-run win over Northants Steelbacks, with Jos Buttler hitting three sixes in a 26-ball knock of 58, as they posted 187-3.

Northants lost early wickets and never recovered as Junaid Khan starred with the ball, taking 3-16 as the visitors, who are letting their promising start to the campaign slip, fell to 134 all out at Old Trafford.

Sussex Sharks also got plenty enough batting first, with Luke Wright making 85 out of their 149-8 against Kent Spitfires, who were rolled for 114, with Steffan Piolet adding three wickets to his red inker.

Setting a total seemed to be a successful tactic in the South division, and third-placed Surrey kept pace with the frontrunners by beating Glamorgan by 17 runs at the Swalec Stadium.

Hashim Amla made 55 and Kevin O'Brien 40 not out in an innings of 165-5, and Tom Curran's return of 3-23 restricted the Welsh outfit to 148-8 in their reply, with only Jim Allenby (52) in the runs.

Finally, Leicestershire registered just their second win of the campaign as they chased down Durham Jets' 177-7 six wickets down - Ned Eckersley top scoring with 43 in a team effort.

Full results:

Leicestershire Foxes (178-6) beat Durham Jets (177-7) by four wickets.
Worcestershire Rapids (134-2) beat Birmingham Bears (133-8) by eight wickets.
Nottinghamshire Outlaws (206-5) beat Derbyshire Falcons (179-7) by 27 runs.
Lancashire Lightning (187-3) beat Northants Steelbacks (134 a/o) by 53 runs.
Surrey (165-5) beat Glamorgan (148-8) by 17 runs.
Essex Eagles (157-8) beat Middlesex Panthers (153-5) by two wickets.
Hampshire (180-6) beat Gloucestershire (178-8) by two runs.
Sussex Sharks (149-8) beat Kent Spitfires (114 a/o) by 35 runs.