DARYL Mitchell and Roger Sillence helped to put Worcestershire in charge at the end of the first day of their Liverpool Victoria County Championship clash against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay.

At tea Glamorgan looked on top after reducing the visitors to 256-6 on an easy-paced pitch but promotion hopefuls Worcestershire were given a lift by the seventh-wicket pair.

Mitchell, 23, playing only his third championship match of the season because of a hand injury to Graeme Hick, recorded a career-best 87 not out and Sillence struck an entertaining run-a-ball 63.

By the close Worcestershire had reached 377-9 in the division two fixture.

On a pitch with a green tinge, the returning Phil Jaques had a lucky escape when, on two, he hit David Harrison on the up over mid-on.

But Glamorgan's first breakthrough came in the third over when Stephen Moore played on trying to leave one from Harrison. Jaques looked to have seen off the new ball when he was caught low down at first slip by David Hemp.

Skipper Vikram Solanki and Ben Smith started some concerted rebuilding work from 46-2, especially after the impressive Harrison took a rest.

But just as they seemed to be justifying their decision to bat first, Hemp threw down the stumps from backward point to run-out Solanki attempting the quick single he needed for his half-century.

Worcestershire were 147-4 shortly after lunch when Robert Croft took a wicket with his first ball.

Stephen Davies was adjudged lbw to Croft, who struck again with the first delivery of his second over to have Ben Smith caught behind.

From a modest 148-5 Gareth Batty and Mitchell put on 75 in 23 overs until Batty got a top edge and was well caught by Hemp at first slip.

Then followed a 95-run alliance between Mitchell and Sillence before James Franklin struck twice in two overs to remove Sillence and Zaheer Khan.

Ryan Watkins broke through in the penultimate over of the day with the second new ball, bowling Matt Mason to give Glamorgan maximum bowling points.