HAVING lost to Gloucestershire in their first Pro40 match last night, Worcestershire face their local rivals again at New Road today -- this time in division two of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship (11am).

After a month-long break from four-day cricket while the Twenty20 circus came to town, director of cricket Steve Rhodes is hoping his side can continue the fine form they displayed in championship cricket before the break.

Despite a slow start to the season, Worcestershire found a rich vein of form in the competition and surged to second place in the table at the interval.

Essex's seven-wicket win over Gloucestershire last week moved them up to second, but Worcestershire have a game in hand and are just eight points behind.

The County have won four, drawn two and lost two to give them 115 points, while Gloucestershire are in fifth place with 99 points from eight games.