MATT Mason praised an all-round top performance from the Worcestershire bowlers which forced Derbyshire to follow on in the Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at New Road.

Joe Leach led the way with his fifth five-wicket haul of the campaign to take his Championship wicket tally to 64 and enabling him to surpass last season's personal best haul of 59.

But he was well backed up by the other members of the County's pace attack in Ed Barnard, Charlie Morris and Miguel Cummins while spinners George Rhodes and Brett D'Oliveira also bowled tightly.

Assistant coach Mason said: "It was a flat pitch and a slow pitch but I think a fantastic day really. To take 11 wickets was a great effort from the boys and I'm really pleased for the bowling group because they've had it tough this year.

"It was one of the few occasions where the group of bowlers strung overs together from both ends and, even when they had that good partnership (between Harvey Hosein and Greg Cork), they still hung in there and got their rewards at the end of the day.

"Leachy is around the mid 60 mark with wickets now which is a fantastic effort and it's not a fluke or coincidence that he gets his rewards like that because he works so hard.

"He never stops trying, he puts the ball in the right areas, he bowls what I call a very brave length, a bit fuller than most bowlers do in this competition and he gets his rewards.

"Without him, we would have been lost this season. He has been terrific."

Mason says the first hour today will be crucial as Worcestershire look to end with back to back wins after the triumph over Sussex at Hove.

He said: "The ball got a little bit softer. It was a bit like that at Hove. The new ball did a little bit more and as it got softer, it did less, and I think tomorrow's first hour will be key to us finishing this game off very quickly or not.

"If we can make early inroads this morning that will make our job easier for the rest of the day that little bit easier.

"But we can take great heart from the effort today by the boys to bowl them out on a pitch like that.

"It would be nice to finish with a win and especially after winning at Hove. Two wins to finish would be great and to finish as high up the table as we possibly can.

"It's another glimpse for everyone here of what this team is capable of.

"It's all about consistency going forward and I'm sure in the next season or two we will string those performances together more often and we will be pushing for promotion again and again hopefully."

Mason was impressed by the hundred from Derbyshire wicket-keeper batsman Hosein.

He said: "It was his debut first class 100 and it's nice to see a young cricketer doing so well.

"I know Bumpy (director of cricket Steve Rhodes) actually has spoken quite highly of him as a wicket-keeper-batsman and great for him to get that first hundred out of the way and I'm sure we will see some fine performances from him in the future."