DARYL Mitchell’s century provided the cornerstone for Worcestershire’s comfortable six-wicket win over Essex at Colchester, to consolidate their place at the top of Division Two.

He struck 102 as the visitors made light work of scoring the 347 needed for victory, after their hosts had declared on their overnight 322-8.

Mitchell gathered his runs from 191 balls and hit nine fours — and looked so much in control that it came as something of a surprise when he finally edged to Jason Gallian in the slips off Ryan ten Doeschate.

By then the visitors were only 83 from their target — and they were guided to the winning post by Graeme Hick.

It was he who sealed victory with his eighth four to finish with 78 from 84 deliveries. He also hit one six.

Stephen Moore and Ben Smith also struck half-centuries against an attack that sorely missed the guile of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, a victim of a broken finger two days ago.

Moore struck seven fours and a six in completing a half-century from 88 balls but without addition was caught at short-leg by Varun Chopra from the last ball before lunch — pushing forward against off-spinner James Middlebrook.

That wicket fell with a total on 102, and the same combination removed Vikram Solanki immediately afterwards — the Worcestershire captain bagging a pair.

But any hopes that Essex might have entertained of making further rapid inroads were to be dashed by Mitchell and Smith, who led the way in a partnership of 126.