WORCESTERSHIRE CCC overcame a three-hour delay due to rain to defeat Durham UCCE by 228 runs on the final day of the three-day pre-season game at Kidderminster.

Durham resumed on 40-4 and lost their last six wickets for 61 runs in 21.2 overs as they were dismissed for 101.

Club Captain Joe Leach picked up the last three wickets – all clean bowled – to finish with 4-20 after Charlie Morris (2) and Dillon Pennington (1) had made the earlier breakthroughs.

The County responded effectively to being bowled out for 150 on day one on a seaming wicket, and it was another three days with plenty of positives after last week’s encouraging two-day draw with Somerset at Taunton.

During the two games, Riki Wessels and Brett D’Oliveira have scored centuries, and there have been fifties from Gareth Roderick, Ross Whiteley and Daryl Mitchell.

Leach and Pennington have taken wickets with the new ball in both games, and all the bowlers have managed to get valuable overs under their belts.

Steady morning rain and then a hailstorm ruled out any play until 2pm.

During the final few overs yesterday, Durham began proceedings against the attack of Morris and Pennington after a flurry of wickets during the last few overs.

Morris collected his second scalp with only the third delivery of the day as Tom Price (2) was caught behind by Ben Cox without addition to the score.

New batsman Lewis Bedford showed some aggression and collected three boundaries in an over from Morris via two off drives and an on drive.

But Morris struck back in his next over when having Bedford lbw for 17 at 58-6.

Pennington enjoyed his first success of the innings when Ollie Price (1) was safely held by yesterday’s century-maker Brett D’Oliveira at backward point.

A double change saw Leach and Adam Finch enter the attack.

Leach ended a lively partnership of 34 between Simon Fernandes and Michael Booth by bowling the latter for 15.

He then sealed the victory by dismissing Fernandes, who top-scored with 28, and Ollie Sheen (0) with successive deliveries – also both bowled.

Leach ended with figures of 10.2-2-20-4, Pennington 9-2-13-1, Morris 7-3-34-3, D’Oliveira 1-0-2-0, Mitchell 1-1-0-1 and Finch 6-1-18-0.

Worcestershire will now make a return trip to Taunton for a three-day fixture beginning on Monday (March 29) before starting a two-day match with Kent at Canterbury on Good Friday (April 2).