Date-stamped : 26 Aug97 - 03:08 AXA Life League: Hemp`s runs sow seeds of victory for the leaders By Mike Beddow at Worcester Warwickshire (151-8) bt Worcestershire (87-5) by 8 runs WARWICKSHIRE`S victory, achieved under the Duckworth-Lewis method, enabled them to remain in strong contention for a second Sun- day League title in four seasons and saw them cross an his- torical thresh- old at New Road. This was only their third win on Worcestershire territory in 13 attempts since the competition began in 1969. Their performance bore the hallmarks of championship quality, and if there was any good fortune at all in sustaining their po- sition at the top of the table, it was only that heavy rain cleared in time to complete a 25-over match. Their total of 151 for eight owed much to a third wicket stand of 56 in eight overs by Nick Knight and David Hemp, and Worcester- shire, though recovering from 27 for four at one stage, were beaten by eight runs when their innings was aborted after 16 overs. Since losing to Kent in June - a result that could yet come back to haunt them - Warwickshire have reeled off eight wins in nine games. Once a team is on a roll, they become increasingly difficult to stop. Their two remaining fixtures are away to Essex next week in a re- hearsal for the NatWest Trophy final and then at home to Glouces- tershire on Sept 16. Maximum points would at least guarantee the runners-up position if not the title itself. Worcestershire were not entirely out of the running until yes- terday, but in fielding first and putting themselves at the mercy of the Duckworth/Lewis formula, they not only faced a substantial target but had to bat in dismal light and eventually in a steady, soaking drizzle. Graeme Welch immediately provided the type of opening spell which Warwickshire wanted. In his third and fourth overs, Philip We- ston edged to Keith Piper, standing up, and Graeme Hick found Hemp on the cover boundary. Gladstone Small`s appearance as first change seamer was even more rewarding for Warwickshire. Piper scurried backwards to hold a top edge from Tom Moody and Alan Donald pulled down Gavin Haynes` drive at short midwicket. Vikram Solanki pulled Small for six to spark off a partnership of 43 in seven overs with David Leatherdale, but the appearance of Donald, a chilling prospect for batsmen blinking to sight the ball, met with immediate success. Solanki hoisted his first de- livery to Ash- ley Giles at long off. Warwickshire`s batsmen had made a tentative start, but two leg-side sixes by Hemp established a momentum which only weak- ened when he was bowled by Alamgir Sheriyar for 45. A pressure pocket built up in containing spells by Richard Illingworth and Stuart Lampitt, who conceded only 10 scoring strokes in five overs, and this was eventually released by a late flourish from Giles and Piper. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)