BEN Gibbon took late wickets to give Worcestershire some late encouragement on day one of the County Championship match at Durham.

Durham's David Bedingham's century and 70 from England international Alex Lees helped the hosts score 300 runs on the opening day.

Ben Gibbon and Adam Finch took two wickets each on what was turning out to be a difficult day for the visitors before Gibbon and Leach struck in quick succession towards the end of the day to give Worcestershire some hope.

It was a slow start for the visitors, much like it was on day one at Derbyshire, as the Durham opener settled after Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira put Durham into bat first.

Alex Lees and Michael Jones enjoyed a good start to the innings and brought up the 50 partnership without loss in the first hour of the morning session.

Adam Finch had been brought into the squad for the game after being left out at Derbyshire and it was he who made the breakthrough in the 15th over when Jones (25) nicked a delivery through to Gareth Roderick. 

A short break for rain came and went before the hosts moved onto 79/1 at lunch with Lees and Scott Borthwick at the crease.

Into the afternoon session, Durham hit the 100-run mark before the second wicket of the day arrived for Worcestershire. Captain Borthwick chipped one up to Finch who completed a caught and bowled diving forward.

Lees reached his half-century as he continued to bat well and he was joined by David Bedingham who also looked in good condition. The pair put on a 65 together before Gibbon ended the partnership by bowling Lees for 70. 

Gibbon then had Ollie Robinson (15) caught behind by Roderick before Bedingham and Graham Clark brought up the 200.

Those two then accelerated the run rate and took the score to 300 as the Worcestershire bowlers struggled to make inroads.

Bedingham completed his century and together with Clark, the pair pushed their partnership past the three-figure mark.

But after a tough day with the ball, Worcestershire took the new ball and enjoyed a successful end to the day as Gibbon removed Bedingham (118) and Jonny Bushnell (0) inside the same over before Joe Leach took his 400th wicket for Worcestershire to dismiss Clark (48).