Adam Finch made important contributions with bat and ball as 18 wickets fell on the opening day of Worcestershire Seconds three-day match with their Surrey counterparts at Guildford School.
Finch made useful lower order runs as Worcestershire, who opted to bat, were bowled out for 136 in 58.1 overs.
He then picked up three wickets in a fine and lengthy spell with the new ball as Surrey struggled to 120-8 before declaring 16 runs behind.
Worcestershire openers Ollie Westbury and Josh Dell steered their side to 15-0 by the close – an overall lead of 31.
Surrey fielded a powerful side and their attack included Jade Dernbach – their Vitality Blast captain – Riki Clarke, Stuart Meaker and Conor McKerr.
Dell made a patient 28 off 79 balls with five fours before he was caught behind off McKerr at 72-4.
Two more wickets fell cheaply but Finch, who came in at 81-6, equalled Dell’s contribution before he was ninth out.
He battled away for 60 balls and hit three boundaries.
Included in the Worcestershire side was 14-year-old pathway player Ollie Walker who was chosen for the Bunburys this summer and plays for Beacon Cricket Club.
He hit spinner Daniel Moriarty for a straight six but after making nine pushed forward to another spinner in Scott Borthwick and nicked to slip.
Finch then got to work with the ball and had openers Ryan Patel (0) and Steve Borthwick (19) caught behind by keeper and captain Alex Milton.
He also bowled Will Jacks (3) and delivered an excellent opening spell of 10-3-26-3.
Finch’s new ball partner, Ed Bragg, also picked up two wickets but it was Josh Breed who dismissed Ollie Pope after making 57 off 78 balls with one six and eight fours.
He tried to hit over the top and holed out to Bragg at mid off.
Bragg finished with 10-2-32-2, Zain Ul-Hassan 8-2-36-1, Matt Davis 6-1-14-1 and Breed 1-0-6-1 before the declaration.
