WORCESTERSHIRE Royals look to be heading for relegation from the National League Division One following last night's two wicket defeat under the Duckworth/Lewis method against Essex Eagles at Colchester.

It was the County's fourth defeat on the trot leaving them in serious trouble in the 'big drop' zone.

They had totalled 141-3 after the match had been reduced to 25 overs per side because of rain, and the Essex innings was only eight deliveries old before another long interruption.

When play resumed, the Eagles found themselves with a re-calculated target of 83 in 10 overs -- and they just scrambled home at 86-8 with a ball to spare.

Darren Robinson was unable to bat af-ter being stretchered off while fielding.

He had been throwing the ball in from the boundary when he slipped and fell heavily. The batsman was stretchered off with what was described as a 'severe groin' injury.

Worcestershire got off to a good start before rain arrived on the scene for the first time.

Vikram Solanki (24) and Anurag Singh (43) put on 62 for the first wicket, but the real impetus came from Justin Kemp and Gareth Batty who shared in an unbroken stand of 51.