Bears claim new local bragging rights at Rapids

WARWICKSHIRE Bears took a big stride towards Vitality Blast qualification with a comfortable 23-run win over neighbours Worcestershire Rapids at broiling Visit Worcestershire New Road on Friday night.

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The Bears' 176 all out was solid rather than spectacularly compiled. It lacked a major contribution but Sam Hain (44, 35 balls) and George Garton (36 not out, 22) ensured a competitive total against an attack led by Ben Dwarshuis (three for 30).

The Rapids' reply started ponderously - 15 for one after five overs - and faded away to 153 all out. Adam Hose defied against his former teammates with 51 (39) but Danny Briggs took three for 37 to sentence the home side to a seventh group defeat which extinguishes their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.

Put in, the Bears lost openers Alex Davies and Tom Latham cheaply but rallied through a stand of 63 in 34 balls between Hain and Dan Mousley. The latter clubbed 31 from 17 balls before edging a pull at Adam Finch to keeper Gareth Roderick.