Worcestershire Rapids made it two wins in 24 hours as they triumphed by four runs against local rivals Birmingham Bears at Blackfinch Road.
The Rapids total of 192-7 was based around a half century from Martin Guptill and other important contributions from Joe Clarke, Callum Ferguson and Ross Whiteley.
It was a total just beyond the Bears as skipper Brett D’Oliveira’s side followed up the last over win over Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford yesterday evening with another victory.
Pat Brown, who bowled one of his most impressive spells, and Ed Barnard picked up three wickets apiece for the Rapids.
Then loan signing Luke Wood bowled an impressive final over after a last wicket stand of 36 between Tim Ambrose (23 not out) and Oliver Hannon-Dalby (15 not out) meant the result was in the balance until the final delivery.
The Nottinghamshire paceman conceded just seven runs in that over with some straight and accurate bowling.
The Rapids were put into bat and Clarke immediately looked in good touch with a string of boundaries.
He collected three in Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s first over and then struck Colin De Grandhomme for 4-4-4-6 off successive balls.
But after making 33 off 14 deliveries, the England Lions batsman went for a scoop shot against Harry Brookes and nicked through to keeper Tim Ambrose.
Guptill upped the ante himself with a trio of fours in Will Rhodes’ first over before pulling Bears captain Grant Elliott over the mid wicket boundary.
He brought up his half century off 38 balls with seven fours and a six but added only one more before caught off a skier by Hannon Dalby off De Grandhomme.
The partnership with Ferguson was worth 60 off eight overs.
Ben Cox (7) holed out to long on off Jeetan Patel but Ferguson collected two sixes in an over from the New Zealander.
He made 45 from 34 balls until attempting a scoop shot and being pouched backward of square off De Grandhomme.
Whiteley ensured the Rapids continued to score freely with 34 off 17 balls with the aid of three sixes.
Ed Pollock gave the Bears a flying start but Brown’s second ball accounted for the in-form Ian Bell who was bowled for a duck.
Brown enjoyed another breakthrough in his next over as Pollock (28) nicked through to keeper Cox.
It became 49-3 when Clarke produced a stunning low catch at long to account for Adam Hose (6) off Barnard.
Spinner George Rhodes increased the pressure on the Bears by bowling Elliott (4) after he went for an expansive drive.
Then De Grandhomme (15) fell victim to Daryl Mitchell as Barnard clung onto the chance at deep mid wicket.
Sam Hain raced to 70 off 44 balls – with four sixes and five fours – but went for one big hit too many and became Mitchell’s second victim as the safe pair of hands of Whiteley at deep mid wicket made no mistake.
Barnard came back into the attack and snapped up Will Rhodes (21) and Patel (1) in one over – caught at long on and lbw respectively.
