WORCESTERSHIRE are on course for an opening match victory after they set Kent 429 runs to win at Canterbury -- highlighted by a century from opener Stephen Moore.

Kent went into today's final day of the Frizzell County Championship Division One match on 35 for two.

David Fulton was dismissed, bowled for 16, and Ed Smith went lbw for six with the total on 33 as the hosts chased the improbable victory target, Matthew Mason claiming both victims.

The home side need a further 394 from 96 overs with eight wickets remaining and, even on a pitch which has remained fine for batting, last year's Division Two champions Worcestershire are in a commanding position.

The visitors' opening batsmen had given a bright start to their second innings, putting on 52 before Stephen Peters was caught at gully for 29.

That was followed by a 131-run stand during which Graham Hick, in particular, and Moore dominated the play.

Hick, who had a lean season in 2003 when he averaged just 33.50, looked determined to make amends.

Playing a hard-hitting innings the New Road veteran brought up his 50 from 44 balls, 44 of those runs coming from boundaries.

He was fortunate to be dropped twice in one over, off James Tredwell.

But soon after Moore reached his half-century Hick, on 89 from 79 balls, was caught at extra cover giving the occasional bowler Michael Carberry his second first-class wicket.

Moore, in his third first-class game for his county, formed another big partnership with Ben Smith during which he brought up his unblemished century --half his runs were from boundaries -- off 162 balls.

When the declaration came he was unbeaten on 108 and Smith had needed just 60 balls for his free-hitting knock of 78 not out.

Earlier in the day Kent's first inning had collapsed from 191-2. Pace bowlers Nadeem Malik (5-88) and Mason (4-55) did the damage as Kent collapsed to 289 all out.