It was a great effort to bowl them out for under 150 and the batsmen deserve a lot of credit as well Steve Rhodes

Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes hailed his side after a brilliant performance on the final day of their season saw them snatch promotion.

Essex had gone into the last day of both team's matches favourites to go up with Surrey, but lost to Leicestershire while their rivals beat Northants.

Rhodes, in his first season as director of cricket at New Road, was thrilled.

He said: "I've always been a believer in the team and with a good atmosphere you can achieve what you want."

Rhodes, who took over as coach of the team after Tom Moody departed in the middle of the 2005 season, went on: "It's been a fantastic season for the club and a real team effort.

"There have been some tough times but the dressing room atmosphere has got us through.

"I've tried to encourage the players to play the way they want and I will do that next season - there's not a lot for me to change."

On Saturday morning, the Pears' promotion hopes were hanging by a thread when they started the final day at Wantage Road with Northants on 24 without loss, and with a lead of 85.

Northants didn't want to set up a run chase so we knew we had to bowl them out quickly

But Rhodes' bowlers combined brilliantly to dismiss the hosts for 143 before their batsmen chased down the victory target of 205 for the loss of five wickets.

That left Worcester waiting anxiously for news of Essex's clash with Leicestershire at Grace Road.

And after it was confirmed Leicester had completed a thrilling five-wicket win

Rhodes said: "Northants didn't want to set up a run chase so we knew we had to bowl them out quickly.

"It was a great effort to bowl them out for under 150 and the batsmen deserve a lot of credit as well.

"We attacked from start and then finished it off with professional performances from Graeme (Hick) and Gareth (Batty)."