AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Andy Bichel took a career-best six for 44 as Worcestershire defeated Gloucestershire by 252 runs at Bristol.

Bichel and Alamgir Sheriyar, who claimed three for 42, were rewarded for bowling a disciplined line and length on an easy-paced pitch.

Gloucestershire, 35 for three overnight in pursuit of 408 for victory, lost three early wickets and were eventually bowled out 50 minutes after lunch for 155.

The only real resistance came from Jeremy Snape (42) and Reggie Williams (28), who shared a seventh-wicket stand of 51.

While Worcestershire celebrated their first Championship win of the season, Gloucestershire are still looking to break their duck and the contrast in the form with their one-day performances must be a concern for director of cricket John Bracewell.

Any hopes Gloucestershire had of saving the game quickly disappeared as Chris Taylor and Kim Barnett slashed wide deliveries from Sheriyar and Bichel respectively to wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes inside the first 10 overs of the day.

Rhodes claimed another catch, a diving effort in front of first slip, to remove Mark Alleyne off Bichel and, at 76 for six, Gloucestershire were in danger of defeat before lunch.

Snape and Williams averted that threat with some sensible batting which reflected the virtues of playing straight.

Williams, however, was undone by the third ball after lunch when Bichel induced a defensive edge which Graeme Hick snapped up at second slip.

Snape, who struck eight fours in his 76-ball innings, was then well caught by Philip Weston at gully to give Bichel his fifth wicket.

The rest of the innings quickly folded as James Averis skied a Matthew Rawnsley delivery to Stuart Lampitt at mid-wicket and Bichel had Jon Lewis caught by Vikram Solanki at first slip.

Bichel's bowling beat his previous best of six for 45 for Queensland against Tasmania two years ago.

Bichel said: "The pitches are a lot slower over here than in Australia and I've had to adjust the length I bowl.

"I felt I was unlucky not to get more wickets in the first innings, but I managed to whittle out six in the second and got my rewards.

"The lads took some great catches and fielding is the key to our game. If we can field and bowl this well, we can be right up there."