SKIPPER Steve Rho-des praised Worcestershire Royals 'fantastic' fighting qualities after they snatched a one- run win over the Scottish Saltires in yesterday's totesport League Division Two clash at New Road.

The victory boosted their promotion hopes and put them in tip-top shape for today's floodlit match against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge.

Rhodes said: "It was pleasing to get the right result. The fighting qualities were fantastic, but we made hard work of it."

Scotland looked like clinching only their second victory of the season after winning the toss and securing the best of the bowling conditions in a match reduced to 42 overs-a-side because of rain.

The County were removed for 131, despite an unbeaten 50 from Ben Smith, and when Ryan Watson replied with 44 from 55 balls, the visitors seemed to be cruising home, but they were bowled out for 130 with 15 deliveries left.

Rhodes said: "We didn't post a score that was respectable. On that pitch we were looking for around 155 to 160. But credit should go to Scotland, they used the conditions and bowled very well. Ben Smith's innings was fantastic in the context of the game."

Watson started his knock after seamer David Wigley had taken two wickets for eight runs in his first league outing of the season.

Zimbabwean-born Watson turned the pressure on the County's injury-hit attack by twice taking two fours in an over and in all he hit seven boundaries before a thin edge off Andrew Hall was held by Rhodes.

Gordon Lockhart (23) took a back seat in a stand of 70 in 15 overs and eventually fell at backward point to Nadeem Malik.

When the fifth wicket went down, the target was only 42, but Hall struck twice in an over and Scottish nerves were stretched to the limit.

Yasi Arafat gave them every chance with an unbeaten 22, but the County grabbed victory when last man Paul Hoffmann chipped the third delivery from Stephen Moore straight to Smith at square leg.

The New Road batsmen had to cope with excessive seam movement and some swing as well. Asim Butt dismissed Graeme Hick for the second time this season and Arafat claimed a vital wicket when Vikram Solanki played on after making 35.

Craig Wright added to the County's problems with a spell of 2-27, but Smith kept things ticking over with his first league half century since recently giving up the captaincy.

He hit five fours from 95 balls and finally ran out of partners when Arafat polished off the lower order for final figures of 4-22.