WORCESTERSHIRE moved up to second place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two table with an eight-wicket win over Essex at Southend.

Essex's lower order provided stubborn resistance to prolong the action. But Philip Weston and Ben Smith ensured Worcestershire cruised to their target of 82, to seal an eight-wicket victory and push themselves up to second in the table.

Essex began the day on 115 for five, still needing 61 runs to make Worcestershire bat again.

Those hopes appeared to rest largely on the shoulders of Andy Flower, but he had added just three runs when he attempted a sweep but edged to Vikram Solanki at first slip. Gareth Batty was the bowler.

Three balls later, John Stephenson joined Flower back in the pavilion when Alamgir Sheriyar's good-length ball found the outside edge and was caught by wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes.

Essex were now reeling on 122 for seven, but Ashley Cowan and Tim Phillips steadied the ship and began to frustrate the bowlers. Their resistance ensured Essex avoided the humiliation of an innings defeat. Cowan made 53, and a 70-run stand helped Essex to 192 for eight.

Tailenders Justin Bishop and Andy Clarke added 53 for the final wicket before the latter became Kabir Ali's third victim after making an impressive 31.

Bishop finished unbeaten on 23 as Essex were dismissed for 257, leaving Worcestershire needing 82 from a minimum of 38 overs.

Their run chase suffered an early setback when Bishop dismissed Anurag Singh lbw in the second over before he had troubled the scorers.

That brought captain Graeme Hick to the wicket, and with Essex forced to set an attacking field he plundered runs relatively easily to guide Worcestershire towards their target. The former England international made 34 from 35 balls, including six boundaries.

n Two of the County's most promising players have been included in the English Cricket Board's under 17 sides. Steve Davis will play for the ECB against MCC Young Cricketers on August 6 while Stuart Wedge has won a call-up for another MCC challenge on August 7/8.

n Kevin Cooper bagged six wickets for Herefordshire on the first day of their Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Shropshire at Shifnal.

The veteran former Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire seamer finished with fine figures of 6-34 as Shropshire declared their first innings on 284-9.

Tim Mason hit 64 and Bryan Jones finished unbeaten on 60 for the home side. Herefordshire closed on 13 without loss in reply.