DIRECTOR of cricket Tom Moody heaped praise on Worcestershire's bowlers for their discipline and patience during their innings and 86-run victory over Gloucestershire at New Road.

It was his side's first Frizzell County Championship Division One win of the season after two disappointing defeats and a rain-ravaged draw.

A 417-run stand between Graeme Hick and skipper Ben Smith laid a rock solid platform for delighted Worcestershire to open their victory account.

The record-breaking partnership led to Gloucestershire following on 387 behind and, after resuming yesterday on 166-5, were finally dismissed for 301 with paceman Matt Mason taking 5-62.

It was just the tonic Worcestershire needed after a disappointing 219-run defeat in their previous match against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

Moody said: "The bowlers did toil very hard to record the win so convincingly. It's really not only a magnificent performance by the batsmen but it's a huge performance by the bowlers to sustain such discipline and patience throughout Gloucestershire's first and second innings."

He added: "With the weather and obviously a disappointing result at Lancashire we haven't really got into our stride. But it was nice to win the toss, bat on a good wicket, get a big total and set up a good win.

"We have an excellent record against Gloucestershire in Championship cricket and it's continued. Hick and Smith really did knuckle down and made it very difficult for Gloucestershire.

"After having a bit of a wake-up call in the Lancashire game and then following up with a league defeat against Durham I think the guys suddenly realised it was time to switch into gear. And in this game we have very much done that."

The County are now unbeaten against Gloucestershire in nine years in the Championship and last suffered defeat against them at New Road in 1986.

The Worcestershire bowlers plugged away yesterday and eventually dismissed Gloucestershire's top scorer Alex Gidman for 77 which included 14 fours off 132 balls. He had resumed on 54.

Wicketkeeper Steve Adshead, who played for the County last season, also gave the New Road attack plenty to think about with a defiant 61.