WORCESTERSHIRE looked set to complete their first Championship victory of the season against Gloucestershire at Bristol today.

At the close last night Gloucestershire were 35-3 and chasing an unlikely 408 to win on a wearing pitch having batted poorly throughout the game.

Worcestershire had taken until four overs after tea to extend their second-innings total from 21-2 to 256-8, with Philip Weston scoring his second half-century of the match.

Jon Lewis took 3-60 from 25 overs before Graeme Hick finally declared, having opted not to enforce the follow-on the previous evening.

That decision may well have ensured some Bank Holiday Monday play as there was nothing in Gloucestershire's batting second time around to suggest they would have done any better 24 hours earlier.

But Hick no doubt reasoned that his one risk was batting last on a deteriorating pitch and, given good weather on the final day, he should still end up with a comfortable win.

Gloucestershire's top three batsmen -- Dominic Hewson, Tim Hancock and Matt Windows -- are already out of the way, having failed to survive the 20.2 overs possible after the declaration.

Hewson made a nervous start, almost running out partner Hancock with a dreadful call for a single but saw Andy Bichel just miss the stumps, fielding off his own bowling.

The next delivery, bowled from the other end by Alamgir Sheriyar, brought Hewson's dismissal for six as a loose shot saw him picked up at third slip by Bichel.

With the light fading, Windows flattered to deceive with a fine cover drive for four off his first ball. It proved his only scoring shot as Bichel had him caught behind fending at a rising delivery.

Hancock soon followed, pinned lbw by Bichel for nine to give the Australian his second wicket and leave Gloucestershire 23-3.

Earlier, Worcestershire had gradually taken a stranglehold on the match after they had resumed on 21-2 and with a lead of 172.

Nightwatchman Matthew Rawnsley moved to his highest first-class score of 32 before being first man out.

Then after Vikram Solanki fell cheaply, Weston produced another painstaking innings in reaching his 50 of 132 balls.

He contributed 58 and David Leatherdale a more attractive 41 as the lead was extended in a manner that provided little entertainment for a sparse crowd.

Bichel's 37 and an unbeaten 32 from wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes ensured Worcestershire did not let their advantage slip.