Worcestershire Rapids kept their Vitality Blast qualification hopes alive with a vital 36-run victory over reigning champions Somerset at New Road, writes Harry Wilcox.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Rapids made a positive start against the reigning T20 champions, with Isaac Mohammed and Kashif Ali both finding the boundary in an expensive opening over.
Craig Overton claimed Somerset’s first wicket when Kashif lofted a delivery to Tom Banton at mid-on for 10, leaving Worcestershire 33-1.
Somerset tightened their grip over the next couple of overs, restricting the Rapids’ scoring opportunities, although Mohammed continued to look comfortable at the crease.
Daniel Sams made the breakthrough when he trapped Mohammed lbw for 34, reducing Worcestershire to 47-2.
The Rapids responded with a more aggressive approach as they looked to bounce back from Friday night’s disappointing defeat at Edgbaston.
Gareth Roderick added valuable runs before he was caught by Craig Overton at mid-on off Sams for 29, with Worcestershire slipping to 80-3 shortly after the halfway stage.
Lewis Goldsworthy struck in the 12th over when Overton held a catch in the deep to dismiss captain Adam Hose for 6, bringing Somerset firmly back into the contest.
Riley Meredith then removed Sikandar Raza, who picked out James Rew after an entertaining 42, but the Zimbabwe international had already given the Rapids a platform from which to post a competitive total.
Brett D’Oliveira provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 41 from just 25 balls as Worcestershire closed on 180-5, while Daniel Sams was Somerset’s standout bowler with figures of 2-29.
Chasing 181 for victory, Somerset began positively, applying early pressure to the Rapids’ bowling attack.
However, Worcestershire made the perfect start when Tom Taylor dismissed Will Smeed for 15, with Ben Allison taking a comfortable catch in the deep. The wicket brought former Rapids batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore to the crease for his first appearance at New Road since 2022.
The stand-in Somerset captain was unable to make an impact, however, as he was caught by Tom Taylor just outside the inner ring off Ben Allison for just 1.
James Rew and Tom Banton rebuilt the innings with a 50-run stand from just 33 deliveries, but Worcestershire seized control through three quick wickets.
Rew fell for 36 before Usama Mir removed Banton, who was caught by Brett D’Oliveira for 30, and trapped Thomas Rew lbw for 2 to leave Somerset 87-5 after 12 overs.
Daniel Sams briefly threatened to spark a recovery before he was caught by Kashif Ali in the deep off Usama Mir for 11, putting Worcestershire firmly in control.
Somerset’s seventh wicket fell six balls later when Lewis Goldsworthy was caught at long-on by Raza off Mir for 3 as the visitors continued to lose wickets.
Craig Overton provided late resistance with 26 before he was caught in the deep by Ben Allison off Matthew Waite in the 19th over, leaving Somerset requiring an unlikely 41 from the final over.
Ben Allison then claimed the ninth wicket when Alfie Ogborne edged behind to Usama Mir at fly slip for 4.
Allison completed a composed final over to seal a valuable Worcestershire victory, with Usama Mir (3-34) and Matthew Waite (3-23) finishing as the pick of the Rapids bowlers.
The victory keeps Worcestershire firmly in the hunt for a Vitality Blast knockout place ahead of Friday’s meeting with Kent Spitfires at New Road.
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