A CENTURY by South African Dane Vilas left Durham to chase a target of 305 to win their final Royal London Cup group game at home to Lancashire.

Hopes of progressing to the qualifiers for a semi-final place were raised by rain in Nottinghamshire's game at Northampton, coupled with fine bowling from Paul Collingwood.

His three wickets saw Lancashire stumble to 126 for four after a good start, but Vilas's onslaught helped them to gather 135 runs from the last 15 overs.

James Weighell's golden arm has deserted him. After taking 16 wickets in five games, he was wicketless in Sunday's defeat at Worcester and suffered a chastening time today.

He conceded 23 in his opening three-over burst and had none for 67 in nine until he struck with successive balls, bowling Vilas for 108 with a slow full toss to finish with two for 69.

Paul Coughlin also came under heavy fire with one for 73 in eight overs.