STEVE Davies completed his maiden first-class century as Worcestershire continued to gorge themselves on runs against Somerset at New Road today.

The Bromsgrove-born wicketkeeper/batsman was unbeaten on 119, including 22 fours, as the County reached 584-3 just before lunch on the third day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match.

Davies, who missed out on a century with 95 in his last Championship game against Northamptonshire, figured in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 236 with Ben Smith who was 163 not out.

Worcestershire had so far stretched their first innings lead over Somerset to 266.

Davies, who had been recalled from England Under 19 duty because of injuries to skipper Vikram Solanki and veteran batsman Graeme Hick, was the third County batsman to reach three-figures in the innings.

Yesterday, a rejuvenated Stephen Peters (88) and all-rounder Zander de Bruyn had set the tempo with a second-wicket stand of 176.

The 30-year-old South African made up for a disappointing summer in England, during which he had scored only 249 runs in 12 championship innings.

Sharing in partnerships with Peters and 121 with Ben Smith, he set Worcestershire on their way to 492-3, a lead of 174 at the close of play last night.

De Bruyn later admitted his relief at ending his long wait to score a century for Worcestershire in his last Division Two appearance before jetting out next week for international duty with South Africa 'A'.

The Johannesburg all-rounder said: "Obviously, I would have liked to have scored more runs this season, but I've had to wait to my last game to get a hundred.

"I was very pleased. It's been a long wait. It's nice to take form like that back to South Africa.

"I have been disappointed with my form with the bat in the four-day game, but now I've got a big hundred."

Worcestershire's smooth progress to their highest total of the season was in complete contrast to Somerset's struggle to 318 after losing half their wickets for 57 on day one.