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Weston's super sixes lift gloom

Worcs (287-4) bt Warwicks (113) by 118 runs

AN HOUR'S break for rain did Worcestershire all the favours in jacking up the value of Philip Weston's first limited-overs hundred and Paul Pollard's first half-century for his new County.

Warwickshire darted at the original target with five boundaries from Nick Knight, but when the rate became 231 from 29 overs, David Leatherdale benefited most from the inevitable gifts, taking four for 23 in four overs.

Worcestershire's positive batting, especially Weston's six sixes and 11 fours in making 125, compensated for persistent drizzle and sombre uniforms - drab green for Worcestershire and a navy-blue pinstripe for their hosts. A colourful occasion it was not, and yet the two left-handers - neither of whom scored a Sunday 50 last year -played as if it were a summer's day in putting on 149 in 27 overs.

Weston had failed to score in almost half an hour, but as soon as Pollard clipped and square-drove successive boundaries off Ed Giddins, the score increased at a cracking pace.

Choosing the longer boundary, Weston a pulled six off Tim Munton and then opted for the shorter route with drives over long-on and long-off before hoisting a Neil Smith full toss onto the top tier of the members' stand.

Pollard hurried to 70 before finding Knight at deep square leg, but Weston's only lapse in an 111-ball century, a swirling chance to Giddins at 81, went unpunished.

Graeme Hick thin-edged a cut off Graeme Welch, and both Weston and Vikram Solanki eventually fell to miss-hits from full tosses.