STEVE Rhodes was delighted with the resilience shown by Worcestershire which ensured the rain-hit Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash with leaders Essex at New Road ended in a draw.

Essex amassed 451-9 declared in their first innings but centuries from Brett D'Oliveira and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, plus stiff resistance from the middle-lower order, enabled the hosts to reply with 411-8 and secure maximum batting points.

Essex then closed on 95-2 in their second innings with the two sides shaking hands at 4.50pm.

Director of cricket Rhodes said: "It has been a really good effort from our lads. It is the second game in a row where we have chased a big score, which isn't ideal.

"Having said that, a lot of teams crumble under that pressure and we might have done a little bit in the past, so it's really good to see some of the guys standing up and showing some resilience and doing really well.

"Brett's and Tom's centuries were wonderful from two really talented, good, young players. They are learning all the time and, chasing a score like that, to come away with your hundreds is a really good effort.

"They were all important partnerships but Ben Cox hanging around there with Tom in the first hour was absolutely crucial.

"They got us off to some sort of foundation, which then meant the other guys, Tom and Joe Leach and Tom and Matt Henry, could then expand their game a little bit.

"All of them played positively and we managed to get the 400, which was a good achievement."

Rhodes is confident that a first win of the campaign is not far away if the batsmen maintain the form shown so far.

He said: "We've had near-enough maximum draw points in the last two games, the only two games we've managed to get any cricket out of, and it is a good solid effort.

"I think a win is around the corner and if we carry on batting like we have done, with four centuries in two games, then I'm sure a win is around the corner."

On the decision to declare 40 runs behind, Rhodes said: "We genuinely felt if we were going to win the game, and you've always got to believe you can win the game, then we needed to get bowling.

"We needed to try to get a breakthrough early with the new ball and then get the spinners on and try to bowl them out.

"To me, that was the only way we could win the game and, while you still have a chance of winning the game, you've got to go for it."