Steve Rhodes admits it always feels "quite special" to defeat his native Yorkshire after Worcestershire Rapids triumphed by 51 runs in a Royal London One-Day Cup group encounter at New Road.
Worcestershire's Director Of Cricket – who began his career at Headingley – was proud of another excellent all-round display which lifted the Rapids to the top of the North Group at the half-way stage.
They have collected seven points from their opening four matches to edge one point clear of the Vikings.
Rhodes said: "It was a good game of cricket with lots of runs scored again and, for the people who watched in the sunshine and kept warm, it was a great game to watch.
"The team played really well and I'm very proud of them and delighted to beat Yorkshire.
"Yorkshire and Warwickshire are two teams that are quite special when you win so there is a little bit of that because I'm a former Yorkshire player.
"They are a big county and it's always nice for small teams like Worcestershire, with the home grown lads, beating them. But I've got to say Yorkshire have produced plenty of really good cricketers."
Rhodes believes the opening stand of 135 between Tom Kohler-Cadmore (118) and Daryl Mitchell (69) was a key factor in the Rapids win.
Kohler-Cadmore reaped the benefits of playing for the Second Eleven on Thursday and scoring 121 against Derbyshire at Kidderminster.
Rhodes said: "Daryl and Tom played really well. I thought they weighed up conditions really well.
"They took advantage when they could to score, they ran between the wickets well. It was a really good partnership and put pressure on the Yorkshire bowling.
"I felt, if anything, their batting was stronger than their bowling today so being able to maximise that and get on top and post a big total was really important.
"We were at Northampton and I asked who might fancy playing for the Seconds and Tom always likes to have a go at Kidderminster. It is a very good wicket.
"But he did the right thing. He maximised his opportunity there and it was as good a practice as you could have.
"He played really well and to get back to back hundreds in two days is a fine effort."
Once again, Worcestershire were indebted to late order runs with Joe Leach (41) and John Hastings (33) adding 67 in just 5.5 overs for the eighth wicket.
Rhodes said: "You've got Joe, John and Ed (Barnard) and any of them could bat number eight so the balance of where we are….if one misses out, generally the other will come to the party.
"John and Joe put on 60 in six overs at a really crucial time and it was really good impetus again at the back of the innings."
Brett D'Oliveira bowled another tight mid innings spell while Mitchell followed uphis 69 with three crucial wickets.
Rhodes said: "It (the wicket) did suit their type of bowling, certainly Daryl, but Brett bowled well and he bowled well in the last game as well so it is nice that he is getting through his 10 overs.
"Daryl taking crucial wickets as well for us was important. He has come back into the side and done a fine job and showed his experience and what he can do and I am delighted for him."
Rhodes allayed fears about D'Oliveira's fitness after he landed awkwardly on his shoulder fielding off his own bowling.
He said: "I think Dolly is fine. I think he is okay. When you dive like that, sometimes you put a little bit of a strain on your shoulder.
"It might have popped out and back in again but, as a wicket-keeper myself, you do a lot of diving and don't always land in the right spot and you put a lot of pressure on your shoulders but I think he will be alright."
