New Worcestershire CCC vice-captain Jake Libby collected a wicket with his first ball of the innings on day two of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with champions Essex at New Road.
Libby, who is captaining during this game in place of the rested Joe Leach, claimed the only wicket during the morning session after Essex resumed 266-2.
Tom Westley completed a 236-ball century, but on 113, he attempted to hit Libby over mid-wicket and top-edged a catch taken by keeper Ben Cox running to the non-striker’s end.
It ended a stand of 130 in 36.5 overs between Westley and Dan Lawrence.
The Worcestershire attack continued to battle away on a slow pitch offering little encouragement to the seamers, and the run rate was kept below three an over for the bulk of the day.
But there was a reward for Dillon Pennington after a spell of just one boundary in 12 overs during the afternoon session.
Lawrence batted on 90, moved across his stumps and was adjudged lbw after the ball struck his back pad.
Tom Fell pulled off an excellent diving catch at short third man to dismiss Paul Walter (65), who carved away a delivery from Daryl Mitchell at 463-5.
Ryan ten Doeschate (41) survived a stumping chance off Brett D’Oliveira, but the leg spinner trapped him lbw to the very next delivery.
By tea Essex had moved onto 478-6 from 160 overs.
