Worcestershire Seconds had to be content with finishing third in the County Championship North Group.
Coach Kevin Sharp’s side enjoyed a spell at the top of the table – a reward for some fine attacking cricket played this summer where the accent has always been on trying to force a positive result.
But champions Lancashire and runners-up Warwickshire had games in hand and took advantage of these in the finale to the campaign.
Worcestershire were left to reflect on what might have been after being the only one of the leading three to suffer a total wash-out – against Durham at Burnopfield.
A sizeable points return from that would have lifted them above Warwickshire and even possibly challenged for the title.
In the final analysis they repeated last season’s finishing position when they shared third spot with MCC Young Cricketers.
But what has been the most encouraging aspect is players who were part of the second team – the likes of George Rhodes, Alex Hepburn, Pat Brown and George Scrimshaw – all have stepped up and enjoyed spells of first team action.
SECOND ELEVEN CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH GROUP TABLE
Lancs Played 9, Won 4, Lost 1, Drew 4, Aban 0, Bat 32, Bowl 27, Points 143
War 9, 3, 1, 5, 0, 28, 24, 125
WORCS 9, 3, 2, 3, 1, 26, 28, 122
Yorks 9, 2, 0, 6, 1, 28, 25, 120
Der 9, 2, 1, 6, 0, 29, 21, 112
Notts 9, 3, 2, 3, 1, 14, 26, 108
Leics 9, 2, 4, 3, 0, 28, 33, 108
Dur 9, 2, 2, 4, 1, 19, 27, 103
MCC YC 9, 0, 4, 5, 0, 26, 21, 71
Nor 9, 0, 4, 5, 0, 10, 23, 58
*MCC YC one point deducted
