Worcestershire Rapids made it three wins out of three in the NatWest T20 Blast as they defeated Yorkshire Vikings by seven wickets in the televised clash at New Road this evening.
The Rapids were set a 174 target but a fine half century from Alexei Kervezee saw them maintain their 100 per cent record.
There were also useful contributions from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Daryl Mitchell and Joe Clarke before Brett D'Oliveira joined Kervezee for the crucial partnership of 66 in eight overs.
The Rapids had also bowled with great discipline and vice-captain Joe Leach collected the man of the match award for his 3-33 from four overs.
The Vikings batsmen were kept in check for long spells – before a late flurry from Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan – and fielded superbly with Kervezee, D'Oliveira and Ross Whiteley in particular catching the eye.
Victory was finaly clinched with five balls to spare as Kervezee ended unbeaten on 52 and D'Oliveira 34.
The Vikings opted to bat after winning the toss with Leach and Matt Henry sharing the new ball for the Rapids.
But it was Ed Barnard who made the first breakthrough for the Rapids when David Willey (6) chopped a delivery onto the stumps with 34 on the board.
The Rapids struck again after Adil Rashid (1) turned a Matt Henry delivery to deep mid wicket.
He attempted a second run but was unable to beat Kervezee's throw to keeper Ben Cox.
The Vikings were restricted to 37-2 in the six over powerplay.
Jack Leaning collected the first six of the innings in the opening over from the recalled Chris Russell.
Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell brought himself into the attack and in his first over he bowled Alex Lees – 46 off 36 balls with four fours – at 74-3.
Leach returned and Jack Leaning (24) went for a pull and edged through to Cox.
The Rapids vice-captain made it two wickets in two overs as Will Rhodes (3) chopped onto his stumps.
The Vikings 100 came up in the 17th over. Leach enjoyed a third success when Gary Ballance (24) aimed a hoik on the leg side and lost his middle stump.
But then Liam Plunkett (34) and Tim Bresnan (29) hit an unbroken 61 off 17 balls to take the Vikings to 173-6.
Mitchell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore opened for the Rapids and the skipper collected two fours in the opening over from James Wainman.
Kohler-Cadmore drilled the same bowler for six over long off.
Mitchell looked in good touch and hit six fours in his 29 off 16 balls before he lofted Plunkett into the hands of Ballance at mid on.
Kohler-Cadmore fell in Plunkett's next over when he was bowled for 19 with 57 on the board.
Alexei Kervezee looked in good nick and collected a couple of boundaries in England spiner Adil Rashid's first over.
Joe Clarke then reverse swept the same bowler to the boundary and a straight six brought the 100 up.
But Rashid had his revenge in the same over as Clarke, having made 34 off 23 balls, was caught at long off.
It was the Vikings last success as Kervezee and D'Oliveira batted with skill and enterprise to seal another victory.
