STEVE Rhodes insists nothing less than victory over champions Essex will do as Worcestershire Royals battle to preserve their top-division status.

The County head to fortress Chelmsford on Sunday with an unchan-ged side knowing their totesport League destiny lies in their own hands.

By conquering Essex and registering a last-day triumph against fellow relegation contenders Lancashire, the Royals will live to fight another summer in Division One.

Just four points separate five clubs threatened with the drop, but Worcestershire are handily placed to survive with a game in hand on three rivals.

It will take a monumental effort to slay the Ea-gles, however, who boast an unbeaten record at home in 2005. Their only defeat came away at Glou-cestershire last month.

Worcestershire coach Rhodes said: "We've got to win. Of course, it's a tough game because Essex are the champions. They may take their foot off the gas a little, but we can't approach the game thinking they will."

Squad: Gayle, Moore, Solanki, Hick, Smith, Dav-ies, Batty, Ali, Price, Sho-aib, Malik, Leatherdale.