WORCESTERSHIRE are enjoying a well-deserved day off today after boosting their Frizzell County Championship Division Two promotion hopes with a dramatic eight-wicket win over Northamptonshire at New Road yesterday.

The County stormed to victory after dismissing stunned Northants for a mere 77 in 35.3 overs -- the lowest Championship score of the season.

David Leatherdale helped set up the win with a day to spare by taking 4-23 as the visitors struggled to handle the unpredictable bounce and extravagant movement.

Paceman Matt Mason also took full advantage to mark his first-class debut for Worcestershire by collecting a career-best 3-15.

Their combined efforts, coupled with fine spells by Andy Bichel and Alamgir Sheriyar, left the County with a modest victory target of 82 which they reached in 13.1 overs with skipper Graeme Hick unbeaten on 36.

New Road Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: "It was an important game for us and in Championship cricket we want to maintain our run and to finish off in the style we have done has been an absolute bonus.

"You couldn't have imagined a number of things which happened today. You'd have thought we would have got half a decent lead on their first innings total but we didn't.

"But going out and bowling as well as we did was a great plus and to finish off in such convincing style was the way we want to play cricket."

The County started an action-packed day by resuming on 273-3 in reply to Northants' 387, but were unable to recapture the momentum they achieved before Saturday's final session was washed out by rain.

Ben Smith managed to add only four more runs to his overnight 104 while Vikram Solanki advanced from 91 to complete his second Championship ton of the campaign.

Smith was finally out when he pushed forward to a Darren Cousins delivery and edged a diving two-handed catch to wicketkeeper Tobin Bailey.

He had hit 19 fours off 189 balls and put on 195 in 50 overs with Solanki who eventually fell for 116 when he was bowled after swinging across a Matthew Cassar delivery which kept low. He hit 18 fours off 170 balls.

The County were later were given a valuable 42-run injection for the ninth wicket by Mason and Bichel in six overs. Mason clubbed a career-best 18 while Bichel was last out for a priceless 31 off 32 balls, including two sixes and four fours.