Simon Jones was in great form

Simon Jones recorded match figures of 8-55 to help Worcestershire secure their first Championship victory of the season with a 75-run win over Essex.

The visitors had been set a target of 340 and a 111-run partnership between Ravi Bopara (85) and James Foster gave Essex a glimmer of hope.

But after Kabir Ali (7-95 in the match) took the wicket of Foster (43) Jones cleared up the tail for just 30 runs.

Alex Tudor's 27 was the only other notable score on a poor day for Essex.

Worcestershire's success ends their run of four consecutive weather-affected draws in Division Two.

Victory came at a cost as they were docked three points for a slow over rate, but home skipper Vikram Solanki still pointed out that it was a thoroughly deserved victory.

It's a great feeling to get our first Championship win of the summer Vikram Solanki

"Throughout the season we have struggled with the weather," Solanki told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "When we have got into winning positions, we haven't been allowed to finish games off.

"But it's a great feeling to get our first Championship win of the summer.

"Ben Smith and Daryl Mitchell in particular batted well on a wicket where you were never really in, and the bowlers all did fantastically well to clinch the win."

Having resumed their second innings on 228-5 on Sunday morning, the home tail added only another 51 runs.

Added to Worcestershire's 60-run first innings lead, that helped set Essex a target of 340 to win.

It was a tall order for any team batting last in a four-day game and it was made even taller when Kabir reduced the visitors to 38-3 in the first nine overs.

Jason Gallian was outsmarted after pushing forward before Tom Westley edged to third slip where Daryl Mitchell took a great catch.

Varun Chopra then made seven to add to his duck from the first innings when he was caught behind by Steven Davies.

Chris Whelan had captain Pettini brilliantly caught low down on the leg side by the diving Davies, before Jones grabbed the first of his four when Ryan ten Doeschate edged to the reliable Graeme Hick at second slip.

The prize wicket of Bopara went to Australian paceman Steve Magoffin. who had the England player trapped lbw.

And after Foster, who had survived two dropped catches, was then superbly caught at first slip by Ben Smith off Kabir, that was effectively it.

A few lusty blows from Tudor gave Essex brief hope of an unlikely victory but, with the home side ready to claim the extra half hour, Jones returned to the attack to finish the job off.