TON-UP hero Vikram Solanki and up-and-coming James Pipe masterminded a spirited Worcestershire fightback in the County Championship Division Two match with rivals Warwickshire at New Road.

The on-song duo helped the County recover from a nightmare 8-3 to close last night on 231-5 off 64 overs.

Solanki, unbeaten on 113, continued to dominate today along with Steve Rhodes who resumed on 20. After 76 overs, the County were 263-5 with Solanki on 140.

Confident Solanki led the way yesterday while rookie Pipe celebrated his Championship debut by hitting a boundary-laced 54.

They were both in impressive form to produce an entertaining fifth wicket partnership which yielded exactly 100 in 20 overs.

Although Solanki took centre stage with his second Championship century of the season, the stylish Pipe quickly attracted attention with a wide variety of free-scoring shots.

By the time he was out, caught at mid-wicket by Neil Smith after mis-timing a pull off paceman Alan Richardson, his career-best score had been boosted by one six and ten fours off 64 balls.

While Pipe was catching the eye at one end, Solanki also gave the Warwickshire attack a frustrating time.

His well earned ton -- the ninth of his career -- included 15 fours off 140 balls.

The County had made a dreadful start losing Philip Weston, Graeme Hick and Paul Pollard inside eight overs.

Weston and Hick were dismissed without scoring while Pollard managed five.

The alarming decline, however, was halted by Solanki and David Leatherdale who put on 67 in 23 overs, the latter finally falling for 18 before being trapped leg before.