Worcestershire clear at the top

Daryl Mitchell's century provided the cornerstone for Worcestershire's comfortable six-wicket win over Essex at Colchester, to consolidate their place at the head of Division Two.

He struck 102 as the visitors made light work of scoring the 347 needed for victory, after their hosts had declared on their overnight 322 for eight.

Mitchell gathered his runs from 191 balls and hit nine fours - and looked so much in control that it came as something of a surprise when he finally edged to Jason Gallian in the slips off Ryan ten Doeschate.

By then the visitors were only 83 from their target - and they were guided to the winning post by Graeme Hick.

It was he who sealed victory with his eighth four to finish with 78 from 84 deliveries, which also included one six.

Stephen Moore and Ben Smith also struck half-centuries against an attack that sorely missed the guile of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, a victim of a broken finger two days ago.

Worcestershire's Daryl Mitchell looked in complete control against Essex's attack at Colchester

Moore struck seven fours and a six in completing a half-century from 88 balls but without addition was caught at short-leg by Varun Chopra from the last ball before lunch - pushing forward against off-spinner James Middlebrook.

That wicket fell with the total on 102, and the same combination removed Vikram Solanki immediately afterwards - the Worcestershire captain bagging a pair.

But any hopes that Essex might have entertained of making further rapid inroads were to be dashed by Mitchell and Smith.

Smith led the way with several punishing strokes either side of the wicket, in a partnership of 126.

He was dismissed when he pulled left-arm spinner Grant Flower to deep square-leg, where Chris Wright dived forward to pull off a fine catch.

Smith's 82 from 123 deliveries contained 10 fours - and during the course of it, he completed 1,000 runs for the season.

Mitchell's resistance came to an end soon afterwards - leaving Hick, ably assisted by Steven Davies, to see Worcestershire to a triumph that earned them 19 points.

Worcestershire are now virtually assured of one of the top two places needed to reach the top flight.

But Essex had to settle for just five points from a defeat which almost certainly means them playing in the second division again next year.