GRAEME Hick celebrated his 39th birthday on a winning note as Worcestershire confirmed their superiority in the Frizzell Championship Division Two clash against Essex at Chelmsford.

In a match they dominated from the opening day, the County won by eight wickets after being faced with a modest target of 167 to climb to third in the table.

Fittingly, Hick gathered the winning runs as he finished unbeaten with a score of 76 that included 12 fours and a six.

Stephen Moore, who partnered Hick in an unbeaten stand of 146, ended with 63 as Worcestershire collected their third Championship success of the campaign.

The visitors resumed on 21-2 and with Essex needing to make early inroads into the innings if they were to make a real fight of it.

But neither Hick or Moore looked in the slightest trouble as they went about their business.

Although Essex skipper Ronnie Irani juggled his attack, the third-wicket pair found the gaps with such ease that it quickly became apparent the result was going to be a mere formality.

Hick was the dominant force. He cut and drove with such freedom that his half-century contained nine fours in addition to the straight six at the expense of Ashley Cowan which took him to that landmark.

Moore also caught the eye with some powerful driving in the latter part of his innings which was punctuated with 11 boundaries.

But it was Hick's authority and power that speeded Worcestershire to victory. At the same time, his 87-ball innings suggested that although he has now entered his 40th year, his appetite for gathering runs remains as keen as ever.

Worcestershire emerged with 21 points while Essex, who were left reflecting on their first Championship defeat of the summer, had to settle for four.

Worcestershire's next match is a floodlit totesport League clash with Glamorgan at Cardiff on Friday.