PHILIP Weston marked his return to New Road by frustrating Worcestershire's bowlers in their weather-ravaged Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against table-topping Gloucestershire.

The former County opener made an undefeated 30 on another depressing day curtailed by bad light and rain.

His battling efforts helped his side close last night on 66-3 off 25 overs in reply to Worcestershire's 175 all out in 56.3 overs.

The visitors progress was checked when South African fast bowler Nantie Hayward dismissed opener Craig Spearman and Tim Haycock in successive balls before economical paceman Matt Mason trapped Jonty Rhodes leg before.

Determined Weston, who left New Road to join Gloucestershire shortly before the start of the season, was prevented from adding to his tally when no play was possible after tea because of the miserable weather. By that time he had collected four fours off 77 deliveries.

After a badly rain-damaged opening day, the County resumed yesterday on 72-4 off 29.1 overs.

Wickets soon began to fall and at 126-8 they looked to be heading for a below-par score. Gareth Batty (32 not out) and 30 from Mason, however, helped to brighten the picture with a valuable ninth wicket stand worth 46 in ten overs.

Batty chalked up four fours off 52 balls in an innings he hopes to produce on a regularly basis.

He said: "I think I can do better than last season. The bowling was a big plus. I probably didn't expect it to come on quite as well, but the batting I thought was going to be a lot better than it was.

"I've worked very hard during the winter, so I'd be disappointed if results weren't better."

Although the welcome Batty-Mason double act yielded the highest stand, Vikram Solanki squeezed in as the County's leading scorer with 34 which contained five fours off 74 balls. Mike Smith was Gloucestershire's best bowler with 5-70.