Worcestershire opener Richard Oliver scored a century but his side were beaten by four wickets by Derbyshire in the opening Second Eleven Trophy match of the season at Alvaston and Boulton CCC.
Oliver made 106 off 110 balls with three sixes and 12 fours as Worcestershire amassed 265-8 in their 50 overs after winning the toss and deciding to bat.
Oliver shared a third wicket stand of 92 with skipper Joe Leach as Worcestershire reached 189-3 on a flat pitch but they then lost wickets at regular intervals.
Derbyshire were also indebted to an opener in Paul Borrington who finished unbeaten on 110 from 135 deliveries with one six and 10 fours.
But the major acceleration was provided by Alex Hughes who hit 64 off 47 balls and shared a fourth wicket stand of 110 in 17 overs with Borrington.
Leach kept ringing the changes to his attack but Derbyshire reached their target with 1.2 overs to spare.
Worcestershire will today start a three day Second Eleven Championship game against the same opponents at Derby.
Worcestershire: Hepburn c Cross b Cotton 10, Oliver c Knight b Cotton 106, Fell c Borrington b Knight 17, Leach lbw Knight 56, D'Oliveira b Hughes 6, Rhodes b Cotton 22, Milton b Hughes 6, Russell b Hughes 6, Cessford not out 7, Harrison not out 11. Extras 18. Total 265-8 (50 overs). Bowling: Cotton 3-42, Hughes 3-67, Knight 2-35. FOW: 42, 97, 189, 212, 216, 233, 243, 247.
Derbyshire: Clare lbw Russell 25, Borrington not out 110, Slater c and b D'Oliveira 26, Elstone c and b Rhodes 36, Hughes c Cessford b Russell 64, Cross not out 1, Extras 7. Total 269-4 (48.4 overs).
Bowling: Russell 8.4-0-47-2, Cessford 7-0-50-0, Whiles 8-1-32-0, Leach 9-0-42-0, D'Oliveira 9-1-45-1, Harrison 2-0-15-0, Rhodes 5-0-37-1. FOW: 35, 81, 149, 259.
