Leatherdale: Keen to end the season on a high

But the home side dug deep through David Leatherdale's unbeaten 89.

And though they were 265 for seven at one point, Matt Mason's rapid 50 at number 10, off just 27 balls, and Hick's own contribution at number 11 - he hit an unbeaten 10 - meant Leatherdale's application would not be wasted.

Stephen Peters, Ben Smith anbd Vikram Solanki were both out before Worcestershire had reached 100.

But 97 for four then became 219 for five as Leatherdale and Gareth Batty (74) rescued things.

Though three wickets fell quickly, the pendulum swung again despite the best efforts of Kevin Dean (five for 143) and Graeme Welch (four for 85.)

Worcestershire: S D Peters, A Singh, G A Hick (Capt), B F Smith, V S Solanki, D A Leatherdale, G J Batty, D J Pipe (Wkt), Kabir Ali, M S Mason, A Sheriyar.

Derbyshire: A I Gait, L D Sutton (Capt, Wkt), C W G Bassano, D R Hewson, S A Selwood, G Welch, J I D Kerr, N R C Dumelow, K J Dean, Mohammad Ali, L J Wharton.