WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are eight points clear at the top of the Norwich Union League Division One after an unbeaten century stand between Ben Smith and Gareth Batty powered them to a six-wicket win over Yorkshire Phoenix at sun-baked New Road yesterday.

Smith led the way with an undefeated 92 while Batty hit 54no as the County scorched to victory with three overs to spare.

It was on-song Smith's fourth consecutive league half century and his sixth in eight innings in the competition so far this season.

Not to be outdone Batty made his former county suffer with his maiden limited-over half ton for Worcestershire, whose main title rivals Glamorgan Dragons visit New Road on Sunday.

Shaky

Set a victory target of 208, the County made a shaky start with the cheap dismissals of Stephen Peters and Vikram Solanki.

Skipper Graeme Hick (29), however, began to turn the tide by figuring in a 68-run partnership in 13 overs with Smith.

David Leatherdale also fell cheaply before Smith and Batty combined forces to put on an undefeated 109 in 16 overs, a league fifth wicket record for the County against Yorkshire.

Smith ended up with ten fours to his credit off 104 balls while Batty hit five fours off 60 deliveries.

Both were excellent efforts after Yorkshire, who won the toss, had earlier been restricted to 207-8.

Paceman Andy Bichel helped keep them in check by marking his final appearance for the County with a 3-30 haul.

Lively Bichel, returning to Australia for international duties, soon ripped out Matthew Wood and Richard Dawson in successive deliveries. He soon followed up to oust Anthony McGrath during an impressive opening six over spell of 3-21.

With paceman Matt Mason removing Vic Craven, Yorkshire were sinking fast on 65-4 and in need of a lift.

It was provided in the shape of a 46-run stand in 12 overs between Garry Fellows and Darren Lehmann.

Lehmann added a further 58 in 11 overs with Michael Lumb before offering a well judged catch at mid-off to Kabir Ali off Leatherdale.

His fine 56 contained eight fours off 69 balls with Lumb finally falling for 32.

YORKSHIRE

Craven c Hick b Mason 25

Wood b Bichel 16

Dawson c Rhodes b Bichel 0

McGrath c Rhodes b Bichel 6

Lehmann c Kabir Ali b Lea'dale 56

Fellows c Rhodes b Lampitt 28

Lumb c Solanki b Leatherdale 32

Blakey not out 14

Gray b Kabir Ali 6

Elstub not out 4

Extras: 20

Total (8 wkts, 45 overs): 207

Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-29, 3-35, 4-65, 5-111, 6-169, 7-184, 8-200.

Bowling: Bichel 9-0-30-3; Kabir Ali 9-0-47-1; Lampitt 9-2-49-1; Mason 9-1-28-1; Leatherdale 7-1-21-2; Batty 2-0-17-0.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Peters c Lehmann b Elstub 2

Solanki c Blakey b Sidebottom 9

Hick lbw b McGrath 29

Smith not out 92

Leatherdale st Blakey b Lehmann 7

Batty not out 54

Extras: 15

Total (4 wkts, 42 overs): 208

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-17, 3-85, 4-99.

Bowling: Sidebottom 9-2-35-1; Elstub 7-2-31-1; Fellows 8-1-47-0; McGrath 9-0-55-1; Gray 4-0-12-0; Lehmann 5-0-26-1.