Worcestershire secure last promotion spot

News of an early victory for rivals Hampshire was all the incentive Worcestershire needed to clinch the last promotion place in the Norwich Union League.

The New Road side made 166 for 6 in their rain-bedevilled innings and Essex were dismissed for 97 when set a target of 194 in 30 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis formula.

Worcestershire's batting was as good as it could be amid all the interruptions. The start was delayed by ten minutes and they progressed at more than five runs an over despite five further interruptions.

This became possible thanks to an excellent lead-off innings by Philip Weston. The tall left-hander hit eight fours from 86 balls until he was caught at deep mid-wicket off Paul Grayson.

Weston put on 55 in the first ten overs with Anurag Singh and succeeded in dominating a stand of 74 with Graeme Hick. The captain was last out for 46 - a third victim for Justin Bishop as Worcestershire added 26 in three overs following the final stoppage.

Last month Essex instigated a Worcestershire slump - stretching five games without a win - but they were not allowed to spoil the final chapter. Hick & Co are now back in Division One only a year after their relegation.

Alamgir Sheriyar and Andy Bichel dismissed the openers for seven and even at that early stage the asking rate was close to eight an over. Ashley Cowan and Ronnie Irani managed to scramble into double figures, but wickets then tumbled again to Matt Rawnsley (3 for 28) and Stuart Lampitt (2 for 27).

Richard Clinton stayed for an unbeaten 26 but Bichel signed off with the last wicket - and will be back as overseas player next summer on a new one-year contract