GRAEME Hick overcame the pain barrier of a broken thumb to seal a thrilling one-wicket victory for Worcestershire against Derbyshire in the last Frizzell County Championhip Division Two match of the season at New Road.

He went out to bat at the fall of the ninth wicket with 13 runs needed to win and hit an unbeaten 10 off just four balls to lift his side to a target of 373.

David Leatherdale held the innings to-gether with an unbeaten 89 and Matt Mason lashed a maiden 50 off just 27 balls.

Worcestershire resumed their second innings on 36-1, still needing another 337 to win. Stephen Peters fell without addition, but Ben Smith and Vikram Solanki advanced the total to 77 before Smith departed for 27. With the total on 97, the County's plight worsened when Solanki was out for 12, but Gareth Batty joined Leatherdale to revive their side's fortunes.

Batty was the dominant partner in a stand of 122 for the fifth wicket. He scored 74 from just 81 balls (11 fours and a six).

James Pipe (12) hit three fours in a brief seven-ball stay but was then bowled to leave Worcestershire 231-6.

At 265, Kabir Ali went for 9, but the balance of power shifted with arrival of Mas-on. He and Leatherdale put on 67 for the eighth wicket with Mason scoring exactly 50 (six fours and three sixes). Alamgir Sheriyar (18) helped Leatherdale add another 28 to take Worcestershire within sight of victory which Hick secured.