WORCESTERSHIRE completed their County Championship Division Two campaign with a tame draw against Middlesex at New Road.

The County were never in a position to mount a serious challenge for a target of 284 at more than five runs an over and could only play out time in reaching a low-key 179-4.

A high-scoring match merely drifted into stalemate. Worcestershire were unable to ignite as their openers, Anurag Singh (17) and Philip Weston (36), fell to catches behind the wicket off Chad Keegan.

Phil Tufnell supplied a different dimension at the other end, teasingly accurate and a wicket-taker as well when the batsmen took risks.

Big-hitting Andy Bichel was bowled for 23 after being promoted to number three and Vikram Solanki's attempt to accelerate fizzled out for 24 when he attempted to sweep the England spinner.

Graeme Hick was left to oversee the closing phase and, though intent on the draw, he was ushered to an unbeaten 59.

The day began with Middlesex still living in hope that the weather might stop Warwickshire settling the promotion issue at Derby.

Strauss continued his impressive finish to the season by reaching 83 before losing his middle and leg stumps to Alamgir Sheriyar. The left-arm paceman confirming his position as the County's leading bowler with 71 first-class wickets.

Middlesex maintained their pro-gress with 55 from Fleming, who was bowled by Matthew Rawnsley, and then Ed Joyce took charge with a century in only 105 balls as Middlesex declared on 368-4.

JOHN Brain blamed referee Stuart Terheege for Worcester Rugby Club's failure to take all five points in 31-0 win at Henley.

Worcester's head coach was disappointed with the official's performance at Dry Leas, particularly after disallowing a first-half Ben Clarke try which would have sealed the bonus point.

The Sixways club lost leadership of National One because of missing out on a fourth try and Brain was less than impressed with Terheege's display.

"His performance was indifferent," said Brain. "We thought we had a good try disallowed in the first-half with Ben Clarke and in the end, that has cost us."

The victory leaves Worcester one point behind title rivals Rotherham in National One but with the Yorkshire side due to visit Sixways on Saturday, there is an immediate chance for Brain's boys to put the record straight.

However, Brain could not mask his disappointment at the lost point on Saturday. "We haven't picked up the bonus point so that is the minus point from the day's work. You would say that 31-0 would be a good result, but we haven't got that extra point so that's disappointing.."

Henley, although never looking likely to trouble Worcester's defence, frustrated the Gold'n' Blues with a performance aimed at damage limitation from the start. And with an over-zealous referee, it was far from a spectacle for the supporters.

"This is a taste of what we face this season away from home," added Brain.

It was a better result considering Brain was without Sateki Tuipulotu, Winston Stanley, Craig Chalmers, Alistair Murdoch, Duncan Roke, Scott Barrow, Elton Moncrieff and Dan Zaltzman. Under 21s Gary Trueman and Chris Wilkes were handed debuts.

And Brain revealed he made most of the decisions with Saturday's Rotherham game in mind.

"Winston had a test on his knee and we decided it would be foolish to risk him. Dan Zaltzman has been troubled with a neck problem all week. The same with Craig who had a bruised sternum."

JOHN Brain blamed referee Stuart Terheege for Worcester Rugby Club's failure to take all five points in 31-0 win at Henley.

Worcester's head coach was disappointed with the official's performance at Dry Leas, particularly after disallowing a first-half Ben Clarke try which would have sealed the bonus point.

The Sixways club lost leadership of National One because of missing out on a fourth try and Brain was less than impressed with Terheege's display.

"His performance was indifferent," said Brain. "We thought we had a good try disallowed in the first-half with Ben Clarke and in the end, that has cost us."

The victory leaves Worcester one point behind title rivals Rotherham in National One but with the Yorkshire side due to visit Sixways on Saturday, there is an immediate chance for Brain's boys to put the record straight.

However, Brain could not mask his disappointment at the lost point on Saturday. "We haven't picked up the bonus point so that is the minus point from the day's work. You would say that 31-0 would be a good result, but we haven't got that extra point so that's disappointing.."

Henley, although never looking likely to trouble Worcester's defence, frustrated the Gold'n' Blues with a performance aimed at damage limitation from the start. And with an over-zealous referee, it was far from a spectacle for the supporters.

"This is a taste of what we face this season away from home," added Brain.

It was a better result considering Brain was without Sateki Tuipulotu, Winston Stanley, Craig Chalmers, Alistair Murdoch, Duncan Roke, Scott Barrow, Elton Moncrieff and Dan Zaltzman. Under 21s Gary Trueman and Chris Wilkes were handed debuts.

And Brain revealed he made most of the decisions with Saturday's Rotherham game in mind.

"Winston had a test on his knee and we decided it would be foolish to risk him. Dan Zaltzman has been troubled with a neck problem all week. The same with Craig who had a bruised sternum."