Worcestershire's bowlers fought back on the second day of the LV = County Championship clash with Gloucestershire at New Road today.
The county picked up the last eight Gloucestershire wickets for 197 and bowled a far better line and length than on the opening day as the visitors were dismissed for 378 – a first innings lead of 184.
It enabled Worcestershire to maintain their proud record of having claimed maximum batting points for the 25th successive match.
Charlie Morris was the pick of the bowlers and finished with 3-73 to take his first class wicket tally for the campaign to 46.
But Joe Leach also bowled well and a deadly spell of 6.4-3-23-4 wrapped up the Gloucestershire innings – including Will Gidman for 146.
Bowling coach Matt Mason admitted the county attack had struggled on the opening day as Gloucestershire closed on 181-2 in reply to Worcestershire's 194 all out.
But it was a different story today. Morris was quickly into his stride from the New Road End and began with a maiden over to Gidman who resumed on 57.
He then had Gidman on 69 dropped at first slip by Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
But two balls later Morris made a deserved breakthrough when Gareth Roderick on 98 hooked him into the hands of Shaaiq Choudhry at long leg with the total on 203-2.
Roderick's stand with Gidman was worth 161 in 38.4 overs.
Morris bowled with hostility, accuracy and pace in an opening spell of 6-1-12-1.
Gidman led a charmed life during the latter stages of completing the 22nd first class century of his career.
He top edged Leach over keeper Ben Cox for four and then in the same over edged just past skipper Daryl Mitchell at second slip for another boundary.
A thick edge for four off Leach moved Gidman onto 96 and he then clipped the same bowler through mid-wicket to the ropes to reach three figures off 165 balls with 17 fours.
Spinner Shaaiq Choudhry was introduced into the attack and struck with his fourth delivery when Hamish Marshall (15) fell to a sharp catch by keeper Ben Cox with the Gloucestershire total on 260-4.
Gidman lofted Choudhry for six over long on before Morris returned for a second spell at the Diglis End.
He again posed a threat and deserved his third wicket of the innings when Ian Cockbain (2) went for a back foot slash which flew to Tom Fell at third slip.
Worcestershire took the new ball at 304-5 but it was Leach who started a procession of wickets when he returned to the attack.
He trapped Benny Howell lbw for 32 and ended Gidman's innings by bowling him after he had struck 22 fours and a six in his 232 ball knock.
Mark Craig (7) pulled a shortish ball from Jack Shantry into the hands of Morris before Leach mopped up the innings.
He had David Payne (0) caught by Kohler-Cadmore at first slip and bowled Craig Miles for 21.
