26/6/04 - County poised to land victory

At the close last night the struggling visitors were 167-6, still needing a further 78 to avoid an innings defeat.

South African all-rounder Andrew Hall helped set up the County's victory charge with a valuable unbeaten half century followed up by three crucial wickets when Surrey launched their second innings 245 behind.

On-song Worcestershire began the day by hoisting their impressive overnight score of 170-0 to 400-4 declared.

Their two Stephens - Peters and Moore - both duly completed well deserved centuries after confidently homing in on the magical three-figure mark the previous evening.

Peters resumed on 92 and Moore 73 with both batsmen determined to stretch the County's first opening century stand of the season as far as possible.

The partnership finally ended after they had put on 240 in 68 overs when Peters cut paceman Adam Hollioake to Scott Newman at backward point for 108 - his third Championship ton on the trot at New Road.

Peters, who hit one six and 15 fours off 181 balls, had started cautiously and took 28 minutes before adding to his overnight tally.

Indeed, his watchful approach enabled Moore, who played for Surrey second eleven in 1999, to reach his century first.

Moore finally fell for a career-best 146 off the last ball before lunch when he was snapped up behind by Jonathan Batty off Hollioake after blasting 22 fours off 260 balls.

It was his second successive century and the third of the season following the maiden first-class ton he chalked up against Kent at Canterbury.

Once the Peters-Moore combination had been broken the County lost Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki for 'ducks' to pave the way for a vital partnership between Ben Smith and Hall.

They put on an undefeated 129 in 22 overs before declaring after securing a fifth batting bonus point with Smith 80no off 89 balls including 12 fours and Hall's 53no containing one six and eight fours off 78 deliveries.