SURREY'S stuttering start to the season finally got going as the Lions produced two battling displays at the Whitgift festival.

First skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown's bold declaration almost inspired a final day victory over Worcestershire in the County Championship, before a spectacular run chase saw his side take Lancashire's scalp in the 40 over competition.

The results, and more importantly the manor of the performances, suggest things are looking up for the county who endured a nightmare start to the season as they were soundly beaten in their first two matches.

"Beating Lancashire is always a tough thing to do and it was important to get our campaign off to a good start," said Hamilton-Brown.

"From a personal point of view I'm glad to be in amongst the runs and I think it gives a boost to the whole team if the captain is playing well.

"I was also pleased with the way I batted with Steve [Davies] at the top of the order. The majority of one-day games are won and lost in the power-play overs and I think that will be our opening partnership for the season now."

In their four-day game against Worcestershire, the Lions recovered from losing Stewart Walters for a duck in the first over to produce their highest score of the season.

The home side were struggling when Arun Harinath (45) fell to make the score 108-4 but a brilliant run-a-ball hundred from Hamilton-Brown (125) and a century by Steve Davies (137) against his former club ensured the score would be a healthy one.

Some strong lower order hitting from Gareth Batty, Andre Nel and Chris Schofield pushed the total up to 493.

In reply Royals openers Daryl Mitchell and Australian international Phil Jaques both fell with the score on nought as Surrey made the perfect start with the ball with Andre Nel, ho so often struggles with the conditions at the Oval, looking especially dangerous.

But Surrey were unable to capitalise on this position as Vikram Solanki (114) Moeen Ali (126) made sure it was Hamilton-Brown's team's turn to chase leather.

Mark Ramprakash's 82 and more runs for Davies (69no) looked to have made the game safe for Surrey but Hamilton-Brown's declaration made a game of it on the final day.

The young skipper's decision to set Worcestershire 268 to win in a minimum of 51 overs was almost a tactical masterstroke as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and only just held on for the draw.

Nel removed the dangerous Jaques, courtesy of a fabulous catch by Hamilton-Brown, before the spinners started to work through the middle order.

Batty, who had only struck once against his former employers during the first innings, took 3-75 while Schofield chipped in with 2-42 at the other end.

But Ali was again the Lions' nemesis as he marshalled the tail home in the final session.

If that was tense it was matched by the excitement offered as the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition got going on the Sunday.

Lancashire had set Surrey a formidable target thanks to opener Stephen Moore who hit a one-day best 118 off 96 balls out of Lancashire's 290-6.

But Hamilton-Brown hit 92 and Davies 59 to fire Surrey to a thrilling two-wicket win with a ball to spare.