Worcestershire Seconds enjoyed a successful first day when they launched their 2016 Second Eleven Championship programe against Leicestershire Seconds at Oakham School today.
The home side elected to bat after winning the toss and were bowled out for 251 in 69 overs.
Openers Harry Dearden and Ned Eckersley put on 75 and, after four wickets fell for 37 runs, Rob Taylor and Adam Tillcock added 78 for the fifth wicket.
Three wickets then fell at 190 with Taylor run out for a top score of 61 including one six and nine fours.
But James Sykes' unbeaten 43 lifted Leicestershire's final total past the 250 mark as the last two wickets added 61.
Charlie Morris, Alex Hepburn and skipper George Rhodes all picked up two wickets.
Worcestershire were then given an excellent start to their reply by Rhodes and Ollie Westbury who scored 104 without being parted by the close.
Rhodes just had time to complete his half century off 103 balls with five fours and ended on 56 not out with Academy player Westbury unbeaten on 36.
LEICESTERSHIRE SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS
Harry Dearden bowled CJ Russell 32
Ned Eckersley+ lbw CAJ Morris 40
Aadil Ali c Twohig b Hepburn 11
Tom Wells lbw A Hepburn 0
Rob Taylor run out (AG Milton) 61
Adam Tillcock c King b Twohig 30
Rob Sayer c Rhodes b Morris 0
James Sykes* not out 43
Chad Barrett c Tegg b Rhodes 14
Liam Hurt c Morris b Rhodes 4
Lewis Hill Absent
Extras 16
Total (all out) 251
FOW: 75, 90, 90, 112, 190, 190, 190, 232, 251
BOWLING
Morris 17-5-46-2
Russell 17-7-42-1
King 11-1-49-0
Hepburn 12-2-42-2
Twohig 8-1-38-1
Rhodes 4-0-24-2
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WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS
Rhodes not out 56
Westbury not out 36
Extras 12
Total (for 0 wickets) 104
Bowling: Sheikh 0-3, Barrett 0-11, Wells 0-21, Hurt 0-20, Sykes 0-25, Sayer 0-14.