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Hick's power puts Such in his place

Worcs (133-2) bt Essex (131) by 8 wkts

Worcestershire are set to run Lancashire to the wire for the inaugural National League Trophy, and their clash here in three weeks time could be a title decider in the truest sense.

They can go top today, too -if Warwickshire are beaten - and their hand is due to be strengthened on Wednesday by Tom Moody's return from one-day duty for Australia against Sri Lanka.

Essex Eagles were summarily brushed aside after Graeme Hick strode in and struck a rapid 45 not out from 26 balls. Peter Such suffered the first salvo - six, four, six - and Phil Weston (37) soon followed suit, pulling Such's replacement, Paul Grayson, for two more sixes over midwicket.

Essex have won only twice in the League, the worst record in the country, and are condemned to Division Two. Another collapse after a sedate start left no room for manoeuvre and their overall form, after a vast improvement in the championship, remains a baffling conundrum.

They were never out of the blocks after electing to bat and, on a pitch viewed with justifiable mistrust in its first airing of the summer, were rent asunder after reaching the relatively high plateau of 34 without loss. From there it was downhill all the way, with only Ashley Cowan's 25 offering a semblance of respectability after he shared an eighth-wicket stand of 30 with Mark Illott (17).

Ilott largely wiped out his batting effort with 11 wides in four overs as Worcestershire started with a stand of 57 by Weston and Elliott Wilson.

David Thompson, on his League debut, broke through when Wilson was caught behind for 24, but Hick then arrived to change the tempo.

Essex can at least seek retribution next Sunday, in a quirky return fixture on a Chelmsford track certain to give batsmen, and the crowd, more of a shout.