WORCESTERSHIRE'S Phil Weston and Graeme Hick both completed half-centuries in the County Championship Division Two clash with Middlesex at Lord's today.

The pair stretched their second wicket partnership towards the 100 mark as they continued to prosper against the Middlesex attack.

Yesterday only 31 overs were possible as Hick's side reached 95 for one after a difficult spell against the hosts' bowling attack.

Middlesex made the most of their opportunities, removing Anurag Singh early in the innings, but their progress was halted as Hick and Weston put on 80 before bad light stopped play.

Rain prevented the match from starting until late afternoon and Hick's side made a cautious start.

Singh had helped to push the score slowly on to 15 when he was tempted into a rash hook off Abdur Razzaq. The opener misjudged the delivery and edged the ball through to wicketkeeper David Nash for just seven.

Hick came to the crease looking to maintain the form which saw him hit an unbeaten 315 against Durham last week but the players were soon forced off the field again by bad light.

The Worcestershire captain found his rhythm after the resumption, crashing Chad Keegan for seven runs in one over and leading his side past the 50 mark.

But the former England international could not match the pace of partner Weston, who moved to within two runs of his half-century with seven boundaries off 100 balls.