WORCESTERSHIRE'S ton-up heroes Anurag Singh and Vikram Solanki put Durham University to the sword at New Road yesterday.

Singh led the way by hitting 128 while Solanki followed up with 106 to power the County to 396-4 by the close last night in reply to the students' 284.

For Singh it was his first century for Worcestershire following a winter move from Warwickshire.

He said: "I'm delighted with it. It's nice to get a hundred. It's a first-class fixture and there is no easy hundred.

"Tom Moody told us to treat it as a first-class game. We want to win it and it's a good opportunity for us to get some time in the middle and score big runs.

"If I hadn't got a hundred I would have been disappointed, but more importantly I think I played well."

It was Singh's fifth first-class century of his career and comfortably eclipsed his previous highest score for the County of 62 against the Australians.

He confidently set about the Durham attack during a free-scoring opening stand worth 211 in 37 overs with Weston.

The partnership finally ended when Singh was caught at extra- cover by Michael Brown off spinner Alex Loudon after 98 of his runs had come in boundaries -- three sixes and 20 fours off 120 balls in 138 minutes.

Loudon also accounted for Weston, who was caught behind by James Foster after stroking 60 which included ten fours off 100 balls.

Kadeer Ali fell for 14 before Solanki marked his first game as captain of the County by notching the tenth first-class ton of his career.

By the time he was out he had plundered four sixes and 16 fours off 95 deliveries. He put on 111 in 18 overs with Paul Pollard who was unbeaten at the close on 44.

Pollard went on today to reach his half-century which contained three fours off 102 balls in 129 mins.

Nick Boulton, unbeaten over night on 8, was soon in to double figures to complete a half-century stand with the flourishing Pollard.

Yesterday began with the students resuming on 238-6 with England 'A' wicketkeeper Foster undefeated on 100. The Essex player added just three more runs before being trapped lbw by Chris Liptrot.

Paceman Alamgir Sheriyar also picked up another couple of wickets to finish with 4-78.