A CENTURY by Graeme Hick was backed up with a fine bowling display from David Leatherdale to help Worcestershire Royals shoot down Kent Spitfires by 139 runs in yesterday's National League division one match at New Road.

Hick cracked 108 and Leatherdale grabbed 5-36 as the Royals romped to victory with 13.1 overs to spare.

It completed a richly rewarding weekend for Worcestershire who on Saturday registered their first Frizzell County Championship division two win of the season by beating Gloucestershire by 111 runs.

The double triumph was just what skipper Ben Smith was looking forward after a campaign which has so far been badly hit by the wet weather.

"It's all about getting on a roll. It's a bit of a snowball effect really with one-day cricket," said Smith, whose side are now turning their sights on trying to make it three wins on the trot by beating holders Yorkshire in Wednesday's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy fourth round clash at New Road.

Hick played the leading role in setting up yesterday's success with a ton-up performance that powered Worcestershire to a bumper 271-4.

After Vikram Solanki had departed cheaply, Hick and Stephen Peters got their heads together to put on 127 in 22 overs. Peters eventually fell for 43 and completed 1,000 runs in the competition when he reached 38. His tally includes 807 for his former county Essex.

Hick went on to register the 13th league century of his career and also his first one-day ton against Kent. It took him 114 minutes and by the time his splendid effort was over he had cracked one six and 16 fours off 107 balls. It followed half centuries in his first two league knocks of the season against Gloucestershire Gladiators and Surrey Lions.

His reign ended yesterday when he dollied up a catch to Mark Ealham at square leg off spinner Michael Carberry. He had put on 68 in 14 overs with Smith, who finally became a solitary, and expensive, victim for former County paceman Alamgir Sheriyar, who was called up for his limited-over debut for Kent.

Smith made 51 including two fours off 58 balls before offering a catch to Ben Trott at short fine leg.

Andrew Hall gave Worcestershire's innings a further healthy lift with a hard-hitting 47 off 27 balls. He clubbed three sixes and four fours.

Kent, who were spared having to face injured County paceman Nantie Hayward, never looked like reaching their formidable victory target.

Leatherdale's haul included Ed Smith who was Kent's top scorer with 28 in a undistinguished total of 132.