WORCESTERSHIRE claimed a stranglehold on their LV= County Championship Division Two match against Surrey after claiming the last six wickets for just 46 runs at New Road.

In a game that seemed finely poised for much of the second day at County headquarters, the visitors fell from 213-4 to 259 all out with the final three wickets going for just 11 balls.

The dismissal of former Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steve Davies for 68, trapped lbw by James Cameron, led to the Surrey collapse, despite former County vice-captain Gareth Batty hitting a valiant 30.

But, once Batty was bowled by veteran seamer Matt Mason (3-60), the tail folded without a whimper.

Chris Tremlett was plum lbw to Mason in the same over as Batty before Jack Shantry claimed his only wicket as Stuart Meaker edged the unorthodox left-arm medium-pacer to skipper Daryl Mitchell for one.

Previously in the day, Tom Lancefield hit his maiden half-century for Surrey as he put on a useful 88-run partnership with Davies following an early reprieve.

Lancefield’s career-best 74 was ended when Shakib Al Hasan bowled him through the gate.

Davies’ 68 was his fourth successive innings of above 60 against his former employers.

His outing was well received by the County supporters as he passed 1,000 first-class runs in the season before he fell to Cameron.

The former Zimbabwe Under 19 international all-rounder followed up his fine knock of 95 on the opening day with two wickets.

He had Matthew Spriegel lbw for four as well as taking the catch to dismiss Stewart Walters (21).

Veteran Mark Ramprakash continued his Worcestershire woes as, for the 10th time in 16 outings in the county, he went for 20 or less.

The former England batsman was slow setting off for a difficult single with Lancefield and Alexei Kervezee clattered the stumps with a direct hit to run him out millimetres away from safety.

But, for all Surrey’s early efforts, Worcestershire will have been delighted to build up a 49-run first-innings lead after they were dismissed for 308 on the opening day.

Mitchell and Dave Wheeldon, just like at Cheltenham earlier in the month, had to negotiate a tricky few final overs.

But, as they did against Gloucestershire, they remained there at close with the score on 13-0 — a lead of 62 runs.

Worcestershire will be keen to add substantially to their lead in a bid to bounce back from the 241-run defeat at Glamorgan last week.