WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids secured their place in the quarter-finals of the One-Day Cup despite suffering a three-run defeat against Lancashire in their final group game.
Despite the best efforts of Jake Libby, the Rapids lost two wickets in as many balls in the penultimate over of their reply to slip to a narrow defeat at Old Trafford.
The result means Worcestershire will play local rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Friday, August 16 in the quarter-finals of the competition.
After winning the toss and deciding to bowl, Worcestershire made an early breakthrough as Tom Taylor (2-25) dismissed Keshana Fonseka (0) with the fourth ball of the match.
And Harry Darley (2-25) then bowled George Bell (7) and claimed the wicket of Rocky Flintoff (20), son of England great Freddie, to leave Lancashire on 50-3.
A solid fourth-wicket partnership between Josh Bohannon (87) and Venkatesh Iyer (25) saw the home side pass a century of runs before the latter fell to Ethan Brookes (1-21).
A 44-ball half-century from George Balderson (50) boosted Lancashire’s total before he and Bohannon fell in quick succession to the bowling of Tom Hinley (3-58).
The Rapids took the final five wickets for the loss of just 44 runs with Lancashire bowled out at the end of their 50 overs for 237.
Worcestershire made a stuttering start in reply as Ed Pollock (13), Gareth Roderick (4) and Rob Jones all fell cheaply to leave the Rapids on 45-3.
A patient knock from Libby (83) kept the visitors ticking along only for the wickets of Brookes (19) and Josh Cobb (8) to leave Worcestershire five down with 106 runs scored.
However, Taylor (41) combined with Libby for an 89-run sixth-wicket stand only for the latter, Fateh Singh (1) and the former to fall in consecutive overs.
With the Rapids in trouble on 198-8, Hinley (24) produced an excellent knock to leave the Rapids needing just four runs from the final eight balls.
However, Iyer (2-38) struck twice in consecutive balls at the end of the 49th over to remove Hinley and Darley (0) as the Rapids fell just short of victory.
