WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are on course for promotion from Division Two of the totesport League following yesterday's victory over Somerset Sabres at New Road.

The County won by 64 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis meth-od to move into third place in the table -- six points behind leaders Middlesex Crusaders.

The victory delighted skipper Ben Smith, who said: "It's put us right up there. We set our stall out to be in a better position than we were when we started this three week spell of one-day cricket because when we start back into the four-dayers we know how hard the league can be.

"So if we can leap-frog other teams a bit and get our heads in front we'll be a lot happier."

The County, after winning the toss, made 238-7 off 39 overs despite a brief break for rain. It left Somerset to face a revised victory target of 244 in 39 overs and they were all out for 179 despite a battling 79 from Keith Dutch.

Smith considered his side's performance as a 'lot more polished', saying: "The guys batted well up front and it's something we have been looking to do for the last couple of months.

"We have got to take credit for the way we played all through the game in all three disciplines.

"We could have been a little bit better in the field, but I think with the ball we bowled well and with the bat we built solid partnerships to post a good total."

The County's tally was boosted by half-centuries from Vikram Solanki and Graeme Hick.

On-song Solanki led the way with 59 which contained ten fours off 66 balls. It was his fourth league half ton of the season. He put on 103 in 21 overs with Stephen Moore (40) although their fluency was interrupted on 73-0 after 11.3 overs because of rain.

Solanki finally fell when he top edged paceman Gareth Andrew to James Hildreth at third man. His dismissal left the way open for Hick to go on and make 52 before becoming part of Andrew's 3-50 return.

Hick slammed one six and five fours off 52 balls before he had his leg stump knocked back in the 36th over.