PHILIP Weston enjoyed a welcome return to form with his highest championship score for two years as Worcestershire made steady progress against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The tall left-handed opener hit a solid 83 after his side had won the toss, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 103 with David Leatherdale, who made 45.

Gloucestershire's bowlers found the going tough on an easy-paced pitch after James Averis had struck twice early on, and an unbeaten 71 from Andy Bichel had the visitors well placed.

The Australian added a welcome surge to the scoring rate, making his runs off just 90 balls, with 11 fours and a six, after Worcestershire had spent much of the day plodding along at little more than two an over.

Averis removed Anurag Singh and Graeme Hick in an impressive opening 10 overs, which saw the pace bowler take 2-27.

Hick had made only four when wafting at a leg-side delivery and getting a nick through to wicket-keeper Reggie Williams.

At 38 for two, Worcestershire needed to be watchful. But Weston and Vikram Solanki saw them through to lunch and their stand was worth 59 when Jon Lewis broke through.

Solanki was looking set for a major score when, on 30, he fended at a good delivery and Williams took a tumbling catch off an outside edge.

Leatherdale added some urgency to the running between the wickets and looked in good form before falling in the final over before tea to Mike Cawdron, whose extra height extracted some unexpected lift and produced another catch for Williams.

Weston had faced 249 deliveries and hit 10 fours and a straight six off Jeremy Snape when driving once too often at Lewis and being well taken at second slip by Kim Barnett.

It was 252 for six when Kadeer Ali, who had laboured for 39 balls for his four runs, fell lbw playing across the line to Mark Alleyne.