Century-makers Ryan Gibson and Nick Hammond rewrote the record books for Worcestershire Seconds on the opening day of the Championship match with Northamptonshire Seconds at Kidderminster.
Former Yorkshire batsman Gibson and Worcestershire Academy product Hammond broke the Seconds record for the fifth wicket in the Championship as they put on 252 in 46 overs.
It beat the previous best of 199 by Reuben Spiring and Tim Edwards against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1995.
Triallist Gibson scored his second century since linking up with the Seconds this season, following on from his 145 not out against Nottinghamshire in another Championship match at Stourbridge earlier this month.
The former England Under-19 player hit 157 off just 152 balls with two sixes and 24 fours before he was caught behind by Jack Potticary – fifth out at 380.
For Hammond, there was the satisfaction of scoring his first hundred for the Seconds in any form of cricket as he surpassed his previous best of 67 against Lancashire at Southport in 2015.
He ended unbeaten on 103 from 161 balls with five sixes and eight fours before the declaration at 406-5.
Worcestershire skipper Ollie Westbury elected to bat but himself and Geeorge Rhodes – caught at cover by Danny Davies – were dismissed for seven and 26 respectively.
Josh Dell (56) continued his consistent form with a 56 ball half century and dominated a third wicket stand of 75 with keeper Alex Milton (19).
The pair fell in quick succession but from 128-4, Gibson and Hammond dominated the remainder of the innings.
When Northamptonshire launched their reply, the home side picked up two early wickets.
Andy Carter, the only English player to play first class cricket for six different counties, made the first breakthrough as Ewan Cox was caught behind.
Then in the next over Pat Brown, released from being part of the first team squad at Trent Bridge, bowled Ben Curran as Northants closed on 38-2.
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WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS
Rhodes c Davies b Heathfield 26
Westbury b Muirden 7
Dell c Potticary b White 55
Milton b Haddow 19
Hammond not out 103
Gibson c Potticary b White 157
Grey not out 7
Extras 32
Total (for 5 wickets declared) 406 in 90 overs
FOW: 30, 43, 118, 128, 380
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BOWLING
Muirden 19-4-72-1
White 20-4-56-2
Heathfield 11-3-54-1
Claydon 10-2-49-0
Haddow 16-3-78-1
Davies 10-1-56-0
Home 4-0-18-0
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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS
Curran b Brown 5
Cox c Milton b Carter 3
Home not out 5
Gray not out 13
Extras 12
Total (for 2 wickets) 38 in 12 overs
FOW: 12, 12
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BOWLING
Brown 6-2-13-1
Carter 6-1-17-1
