TOM Moody, Graeme Hick and Stuart Lampitt joined forces to help Worcestershire Royals keep the pressure on leaders Yorkshire Phoenix with a seven-wicket win over Hampshire Hawks in the National League Division One clash at New Road.

For the County it was their third league win on the trot and closed the gap to four points on Yorkshire.

After an heroic bowling display by Lampitt, skipper Moody and Hick powered second-placed Worcestershire towards victory with a hard-hitting 95-run second wicket partnership.

They cruised to their modest target of 162 with a massive 18.4 overs to spare and to put them in good heart for Wednesday's NatWest Trophy clash against Surrey at New Road.

Moody, in his first league outing since returning from World Cup-winning duties with Australia, smashed 55 containing nine fours off 54 deliveries.

His entertaining double act spanned 12 overs with Hick who went on to hammer 54 which included one six and six fours off 56 balls.

Following their dismissals, Worcestershire were guided to victory by Vikram Solanki (15 not out) and David Leatherdale (17 not out).

Earlier, the County had been superbly served by Lampitt after bottom-of-the-table Hants had made a sound start to their innings after winning the toss.

He claimed 4-18 to help clip the Hawks' wings by restricting them to 161-9.

His introduction into the attack, after openers Jason Laney and Derek Kenway had put on 49 in 13 overs, had a quick-fire impact when he struck with his first delivery.

The victim was Laney for 21 -- a dismissal which sparked the start of a dramatic nose-dive in the Hawks fortunes.

Lively Lampitt's third delivery removed Robin Smith with his next ball trapping Will Kendall lbw.

His hopes of a memorable hat-trick, however, were denied by Dimitri Mascarenhas who finally ended up as his side's top scorer with 55 which contained one six and six fours off 83 deliveries.

Moody, however hastened Hants' slide by ousting Kenway with Lampitt turning up the heat by removing John Stephenson thanks to Steve Rhodes' 300th league dismissal behind the stumps.

An uncharacteristic lapse by Rhodes, however, enabled Mascarenhas to survive a straightforward catch off Lampitt while on 24.

Relived Mascarenhas eventually fell to a stinging caught and bowled effort by Gavin Haynes after putting on 49 in 15 overs with Shaun Udal.

Spinner Richard Illingworth also chipped in with a couple of wickets.

HAMPSHIRE

Laney b Lampitt 21

Kenway c Pollard b Moody 19

Smith c Solanki b Lampitt 0

Kendall lbw b Lampitt 0

Mascarenhas c & b Haynes 55

St'nson c Rhodes b Lampitt 3

Udal c Sheriyar b Illingworth 20

Aymes c sub b Illingworth 21

McLean c Solanki b Sheriyar 4

James not out 4

Hartley not out 1

Extras: 13

Total (9 wkts) 161

Overs: 45

Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-49, 3-49, 4-51, 5-76, 6-125, 7-142, 8-147, 9-157.

Bowling: Sheriyar 8-1-30-1; Haynes 7-1-27-1; Moody 6-3-14-1; Lampitt 9-1-18-4; Illingworth 9-1-30-2; Rawnsley 6-0-35-0-.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Moody c & b Stephenson 55

Pollard c Kendall b McLean 4

Hick c Hartley b Udal 54

Solanki not out 15

Leatherdale not out 17

Extras: 17

Total (3 wkts) 162

Overs: 26.2

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-111, 3-141.

Bowling: McLean 5-0-15-1; Hartley 6-1-36-0; James 2-0-28-0; Mascarenhas 2-0-20-0; Stephenson 6.2-0-41-1; Udal 5-0-17-1.