MICHAEL Di Venuto hit a magnificent 138 against his former club, Derbyshire, yesterday then hailed a "very professional performance"

by Durham as they swept into the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy.

Their defence of the cup they won at Lord's last August looked to be in tatters when they lost three of their first four group games, but a fourth successive win booked their place in the last eight on June 4.

Yorkshire can still secure top spot by beating Lancashire tomorrow, which would mean Durham travelling to face one of the other group winners.

But Di Venuto said: "We would have grabbed a quarter-final tie away from home after the start we made. We came back by winning ugly a couple of times, but we are starting to peak at the right time and we definitely fancy another trip to Lord's.

"Last year my one-day performances were disappointing, but we usually got off to a good start and the team was not relying on me."

After being run out four times this season, Di Venuto joked: "I've learnt not to trust my partners any more. It's one of those freak things, but for it to happen twice in championship cricket is unforgiveable.

"At least Phil Mustard is starting to hit the ball instead of dropping it at his feet and running."

Durham scored 298 for seven, 63 more than their previous highest in the FPT this season, and the visitors were all out in 37.5 overs for 181.

Di Venuto eclipsed his own one-day best for Durham, which was 66 at Old Trafford this season in a competition in which he averaged only 18.3 last year.

Derbyshire can draw level with Durham on ten points by beating Scotland in Glasgow tomorrow, but they cannot climb above them because run rate plays second fiddle to number of wins and Derbyshire have had two games washed out.