Worcestershire Rapids went down by seven wickets to Derbyshire Falcons who reached their 187 target in the NatWest T20 Blast match at New Road this evening with 10 balls to spare.
The Rapids had posted a challenging looking total of 186-5 in their 20 overs after being put into bat thanks largely to fine knocks from Joe Clarke, Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox plus a late cameo from John Hastings.
But experienced Derbyshire duo of opener Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen were difficult to contain and powered their side to victory.
The Rapids will now attempt to clock up their first T20 Blast win of the campaign in Friday's home clash with Lancashire Lightning.
The Rapids began their innings under murky skies and Daryl Mitchell (3), who has become their highest ever T20 scorer, was caught at wide mid on in Madsen's opening over.
Joe Clarke reeled off a series of impressive strokes, mixing power with delicate ramp and scoop shots, in making 42 off only 18 balls with seven fours and a six.
The England Lions batsman oozed class but was eventually bowled by a Hardus Viljoen full-toss as the Rapids reached 63-2 by the end of the powerplay.
Madsen and Imran Tahir then slowed the run rate and Brett D'Oliveira (23) was trapped lbw by the former attempting a reverse sweep.
Tahir had Mitchell Santner caught behind but his last over cost 16 runs and the Rapids regained momentum via Cox and Whiteley.
Whiteley produced typically big hitting against his former club although he had an escape on 23 when Derbyshire debutant Callum Brodrick spilled a chance at deep mid wicket off former Rapids paceman Matt Henry.
Whiteley eventually fell in the final over from Henry to deep extra cover after making 39 off 28 balls with two sixes and two fours.
But Cox continued his recent good form in making 40 not out and John Hastings pulled and straight drove Henry's last two deliveries for six.
Derbyshire openers Godleman and Matt Critchley gave their side a hurricane start with 57 from the opening four overs.
Jack Shantry, who passed a fitness test on an ankle injury, had Critchley (31 off 16 balls) safely pouched at deep mid wicket.
Then the introduction into the attack of Santner quickly paid dividends as Luis Reece (9) was caught at long on.
The Falcons 100 came up in the 11th over and Madsen had a let-off on 36 as Leach at mid off could not cling onto a chance off Ed Barnard.
Godleman was stumped by Cox off Santner, who finished with 2-27 from his four overs, and his 70 off 42 balls contained two sixes and seven fours.
Madsen saw the Falcons home and ended unbeaten on 58 from 35 balls with nine fours.
