RELEGATION-haunted Worcestershire are fighting hard for precious points in their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against runaway leaders Warwickshire at New Road.

They clinched their third batting point today when they rea-ched 314-6 after a century partnership yesterday between Mich-ael Powell and Jonathan Trott.

The County were forced to spend the day in the field after losing the toss in a Championship match for the sixth time in a row.

An early breakthrough, when Mark Wagh fell to a slip catch by Stephen Peters off paceman Andy Bichel, gave them encouragement, but Warwickshire quickly recovered to take command.

Zimbabwe spinner Ray Price did his best to check their progress by chipping out Ian Bell for a splendid 54 and Nick Knight for 37.

Bell was caught at slip by Graeme Hick and Knight offered a bat-pad catch to Ben Smith.

Price's double strike reduced the champions-elect to 117-3 and gave the 28-year-old a deserved lift on his home Championship debut when he bowled 33 overs throughout the day for figures of 2-57.

"I've always wanted to play county cricket and am relishing the challenge," he said, adding: "The standard over here in the last few years just seems to be getting better and better and the English Test side are proving that at the moment.

"It's completely different conditions from what I am used to but I just want to be a better cricketer. I'm just looking to build a future here and start all over again."

Despite Price's removal of Bell and Knight, the County were plunged into deep water by Trott and Powell, who put on 131 in 49 overs for the fourth wicket.

Powell, who hit seven fours off 151 balls, departed for 69 when he pulled paceman Nadeem Malik to Price at mid-on before two more wickets fell to the new ball.

Trott, after cracking 11 fours in his 63, drove paceman Matt Mason to Smith in the covers and Dougie Brown (3) edged Bichel to Andrew Hall at first slip.

n Worcestershire were boosted by half-centuries from James Pipe and Peter Trego on the opening day of their Second Eleven match against Warwickshire at Moseley.

Pipe (79) and Trego (63) helped the County total 218 off 62 overs. Warwickshire were 113-1 in reply.