ANDY Bichel mopped up Hampshire's last two wickets as Worcestershire took just 20 minutes on Saturday to clinch a fine 112-run victory in their County Championship Division Two match at New Road.

Paceman Bichel finished with 5-62 -- his fourth five-wicket haul of this campaign -- to lift his tally of Championship scalps so far this season to 62.

He began by removing the overnight threat presented by Alex Morris with a rousing 44 from only 26 balls.

The left-hander, however, failed to add to his score in seven deliveries on Saturday before being caught by wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes.

Last man James Schofield, the former Royal Grammar School, Worcester pupil, went in much the same way, but edging wider to Vikram Solanki at first slip.

Adrian Aymes was left undefeated with 28.

Hants, resuming at 186-8, were dismissed for 194, but stayed in strong contention for one of the promotion places despite suffering only their second defeat of the season.

Their skipper Robin Smith said: "It was disappointing, but I can't take anything away from Worcestershire. They came hard at us and they are a difficult side to beat on their home ground."

He admitted that the game was lost on Friday when Bichel pulled the County out of trouble in their second innings and then broke through Hants top order as they chased a target of 307.

"I felt it was probably the most frustrating day I've ever played during my first-class cricket career," added Smith.