Alexei Kervezee and Alex Hepburn both scored centuries as Worcestershire Seconds fought back strongly to extend their lead past the 300 mark against Durham Seconds on the second day of the three day game at Darlington.
Kervezee and Hepburn plundered 144 off just 30 overs for the fifth wicket after coming together with their side 99-4 – a lead of only 75.
By the close Worcestershire had moved onto 325-8 in their second innings – a 301 run advantage.
Kervezee, left out of the first team against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl, followed up his first innings 67 by making 127 off 132 balls with three sixes and 13 fours.
Hepburn also added 62 for the sixth wicket with Michael Hill (26).
He made 112 from 178 balls with nine fours before being run out from cover point after attempting a single in the final over of the day.
Skipper Shaaiq Choudhry was also run out for seven but was unfortunate when Kervezee's drive was deflected by the bowler back onto the stumps at the non striker's end.
Worcestershire had run into early trouble with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who offered no shot, and Brett D'Oliveira both lbw with the total on 14.
But then George Rhodes (23) and Kervezee started to repair the innings during a third wicket stand of 62 before the Dutch international and Hepburn took command.
Durham had resumed on 129-5 in their first innings and they were bowled out for 249 in reply to Worcestershire's 225 with Hepburn (3-57) and Josh Tongue (2-49) both claiming two wickets today.
Durham 2nds first innings continued
Burnham lbw Hepburn 54
Hickey b Tongue 19
Arshad c Rhodes b Tongue 6
Bousfield lbw Choudhry 38
Carse not out 28
McCarthy lbw Hepburn 13
Extras 20
Total (all out) 249 in 54.1 overs
FOW continued: 137, 161, 174, 226, 249
Bowling Tongue 14-2-49-2
Hill 10-2-61-1
Hepburn 17.1-4-57-3
Wade 5-0-47-1
Rashid 4-3-2-2
Choudhry 4-0-25-1
Worcestershire 2nds – second innings
Kohler-Cadmore lbw Harrison 6
D'Oliveira lbw McCarthy 6
Rhodes c Poynter b Bousfield 23
Kervezee c Burnham b Pringle 127
Choudhry run out 7
Hepburn run out 112
Hill c Buckley b Hickey 26
Tindale c Clark b Hickey 6
Tongue not out 2
Extras 10
Total (for 8 wickets) 325
FOW: 14, 14, 76, 99, 243, 307, 321, 325
Bowling: Harrison 1-44, McCarthy 1-45, Bousfield 1-47, Pringle 1-51, Hickey 2-24.
