Birmingham Bears kept their knockout stage hopes alive with a win over local rivals Worcestershire Rapids, winning by 17 runs. Some great fielding and bowling from the Bears, alongside an illustrious 61 from Sam Hain, saw the hosts secure victory.
Openers Adam Hose and RobYates put on an aggressive 45 off 4.4 overs before Yates, attempting to clear the boundary, was caught for 37 off 20 balls off Finch’s bowling.
Hose, who found it difficult out in the middle, was caught on the boundary for 14 off 19 balls off Ed Barnard’s bowling.
After an explosive start, Worcesteshire got themselves back in the game with a third wicket, when Brett D’Oliveira got the captain’s wicket, Rhodes caught for 13.
Worcestershire continued to peg the hosts back. Barnard got his second wicket as Michael Burgess departed without scoring, edging to cover.
The visitors were restrictive throughout the middle stages, but Hain and Dan Mousley began to rebuild for the Bears. Their partnership reached 50, with boundaries flowing at both ends.
Their impressive partnership came to a conclusion on 80, when Mousley was caught for 40 off 31 balls. Nevertheless Hain remained explosive, reaching his half-century from 30 balls to carry on his exceptional form in the tournament.
The in-form batsman went for one shot too many, edging Pat Brown behind for 61 off 33 balls in the final over, as the hosts reached 179/6, recovering from 70/4.
Worcestershire Rapids began their innings with great intent, reaching 33 without loss off 17 balls, before Haynes was bowled for 14 by Jeetan Patel.
Jake Libby then edged Olly Stone, departing without scoring, and the Rapids were set back to 39/2.
Hamish Rutherford looked dangerous throughout, smashing 45 off 23 balls before the opener was caught off Jake Lintott’s first ball.
Ben Cox and Brett D’Oliveira used their experience to steady things for the Rapids, keeping the run-rate ticking over despite some tight Bears bowling. Their partnership ended on 37 when pushing for a single, Cox run out for 3.
Worcestershire had reached 97/4 at the halfway stage.
Just as they started to put themselves back in the game, Bears came back fighting, as Henry Brookes trapped Ross Whiteley lbw for 12.
Tim Bresnan then put Bears into a solid position, taking an exceptional catch to dismiss Ed Barnard caught and bowled for 11. The Rapids now needed 42 from 26 balls.
Brookes came back into the attack and strengthened the Bears position, dismissing the key man, Barnard for 61, before Olly Stone bowled Daryl Mitchell in the penultimate over for 5.
With Rapids needing 18 to win going into the final over, Brookes saw his team over the line with a brilliant final over, as Worcestershire finished on 163/8.
