WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are off the top of the Norwich Union League Division One table following their nine- wicket defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis system against Durham Dynamos at New Road yesterday.

Their rain-hit setback enabled Warwickshire Bears to regain the number one spot while Durham remain in bottom place despite picking up their first league win of the season.

After dismissing the County for an undistinguished 144 in 43.1 overs, the visitors were set an initial revised victory target of 114 off 29 overs because of rain.

They made 12-1 in 3.4 overs before a further interruption left them with another revised target of 62 in 13 overs. It was a test they successfully passed with 2.2 overs spare due to an undefeated 32 by Nicky Peng and 24 not out from Gordon Muchall.

It was Worcestershire's first league reversal of the season and the first time Durham have won in the competition at New Road in six attempts.

The County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody said before the clash that, as league leaders, his side could expect to be shot at in every game.

Unfortunately, the majority of Worcestershire's batsmen failed to heed his warning with Warwickshire taking full advantage to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table by beating Kent Spitfires.

Moody, however, is convinced his side can bounce back to winning ways against Somerset Sabres at Taunton next Sunday. "We are all very much aware from past experiences mid-season placings mean very little when it comes to the business end of the season in September," he said.

The County, after winning the toss, started their innings badly and, despite an 84-run stand between Ben Smith and David Leatherdale, were never at ease.

Anurag Singh's run out in the third over sparked an alarming slide with Vikram Solanki and Graeme Hick falling off successive deliveries for 'ducks.'

Certainly at 15-3, the County were in urgent need of a calming influence which Smith and Leatherdale did their best to provide. Their partnership spanned 19 overs before Leatherdale, on 30, became one of spinner Graeme Bridge's career-best one-day return of 3-22.

Leatherdale's departure was the first of seven wickets to tumble for just 45 runs in 20 overs.

On of those was Smith who fell for a fine 54 which contained eight fours off 62 balls.