BILL Athey hurled a few bouncers at his players following Worcestershire's four-wicket defeat against Essex at Chelmsford.

"There is no excuse for the way we let the game get away from us," was the honest reaction of coach Athey.

"We established a first innings lead of 109 to gain control but lost our grip because we failed to perform with both bat and ball second time around.

"To be bowled out for 176 in our second innings was a big disappointment. Too many gave their wickets away with rash strokes -- but our bowlers really let us down when Essex went in again.

"To be honest, I was confident of a victory when Essex were left to score 286, even allowing for the fact that the pitch was fairly flat and only offered a bit of turn.

"But we seemed unable to put the ball in the right areas to pose problems.

"Too many deliveries were short or wide and we were made to suffer for it.

"Bowlers simply cannot afford to send down a succession of bad balls to someone of Stuart Law's class and expect to get away with it."

Even Glenn McGrath struggled, conceding 34 in his first four overs.

Law feasted on Worcestershire's way-ward bowling with a majestic 133 not out and which included 19 fours and one six.

The Australian shared in century partnerships with Paul Grayson (69) and Ronnie Irani (35) to guide Essex to a triumph which knocked Athey's players from the second division summit.

It was a victory which also came as something of a surprise to Irani, the Essex Captain.

"To get 286 was a tall order and I thought the odds were against it, especially as Darren Robinson, one of our recognised batsmen, was nothing a broken thumb, he said."

"And even if we were to reach it, I didn't expect it to be until the final day.

But they didn't bowl as well as they could have done and Law took full advantage to show what a great player he is.