Worcestershire face a tough final day against Hampshire in the County Championship, despite opener Jake Libby's defiant half-century.

Libby, who reached 700 Championship runs this season, ended the day unbeaten on 55 from 133 balls, with five fours to his tally.

However, the Pears closed on 117-5 from 43 overs, chasing a target of 394 at Visit Worcestershire New Road.

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The team, having secured their Division One status for another season earlier in the clash, dismissed Hampshire for 204 in 57 overs, even without injured joint-leading wicket leader Tom Taylor.

Joe Leach, in his penultimate match before retirement, got the Pears off to a brilliant start, claiming the wickets of Toby Albert (1), Fletcha Middleton (11) and first innings century-maker Nick Gubbins (16), bringing his first-class wicket tally to 475, with 467 of those for Worcestershire.

On-loan spinner Amar Virdi kept his momentum following a five-wicket haul in the first innings, dismissing Ben Brown (0) and Hampshire captain James Vince (44).

Liam Dawson and Tom Prest then met at the crease, adding 72 for the sixth wicket before the earlier was bowled by Logan van Beek for 51 runs, before the Dutch international also took out James Fuller (8).

Virdi then added another two wickets to his tally, with that of Prest (4) and Kyle Abbott (20), giving him a match analysis of 9-241, and giving him his 14th wicket in just two Pears appearances.

The innings ended when Felix Organ (6) was run out by Adam Hose’s throw to bowler Ethan Brookes at the non-striker’s end.

Now at the crease, Gareth Roderick (7) was bowled by an Abbott delivery as he pushed forward, however some steady work from Libby and Kashif Ali saw Worcestershire reach 43-1 at tea.

However Ali (8) was soon bowled lbw by Dawson, which saw Libby keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Rob Jones (9) edged a fine Muhammad Abbas delivery to Vince at slip, and Hose (6) became Dawson's 50th dismissal of the season.

Club captain Brett D'Oliveira (0) was beaten by Middleton's hit and run out, however Libby continued, completing a 106-ball half-century.

Brookes (18 not out) started off steadily at the crease, however both he, Libby and the Pears face a challenging final day.