This week’s Friday flashback takes us to August 2025, where the Rapids entertained an in-form Glamorgan side in a crunch group game during the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
On a blistering day, a packed New Road crowd were full of anticipation to watch two teams pushing for the knock-out stages go head-to-head in what promised to be a classic contest.
Having lost their previous match at home to Gloucestershire, the Rapids were in need of a response…
That came courtesy of Worcestershire’s middle-order batter, Rob Jones, who’s sparkling century brought everyone indie the ground to their feet, in an innings to remember.
Alan Richardson shuffled his pack, making three changes to the match day eleven, with Dan Lategan, Rob Jones and Ben Allison all returning to the side who entered the field first after another successful toss.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with the basement side showing plenty of confidence as they strode past 50 in the 10th over, with Worcestershire’s bowlers not having it all their own way.
Ben Allison (2-49) soon changed that narrative however, when he removed Eddie Byrom for a well-made 41 courtesy of an excellent catch from Henry Cullen, who made no mistake under a steepling high catch.
The ever-reliable Tom Taylor produced another economical first spell going at just four an over, but was unable to make a breakthrough as the Rapids fought hard while Glamorgan reached three figures and youngster Henry Hurle began to free his arms.
From 179-2, the Rapids showed excellent resolve to fight their way back into the contest, taking three quick wickets and check Glamorgan’s progress at 205-5.
Tribe, however, carried his bat for an outstanding 122 not-out that saw his side finish on an above par 297-7.
Worcestershire were pegged back in response, losing D’Oliveira in the first over when he was bowled looking to advance down the wicket form the third ball of the innings.
The hosts made an otherwise positive start to the chase however, largely due to a composed knock for 19-year-old Dan Lategan, that saw Worcestershire pass fifty without further damage.
Striking six fours and two sixes, Lategan looked to play his shots and be the one who would anchor the innings for his side from the top.
The 17th over of the reply proved costly however, as the hosts lost both of their set batters – with Carlson taking a stunning one-handed catch at extra cover to remove Kashif for 22, before a catastrophic mix up involving Jake Libby saw Lategan run-out four short of a maiden List A fifty.
The onus fell on Libby and new man Rob Jones to guide the home side out of their troubling position at 78-3, a job they carried out to excellent effect.
Batting with poise, Jones made his way to a fabulous fifty on his first appearance in the side since injuring his hand earlier in the tournament, returning to form at just the right time for his side.
After enjoying a stellar competition of his own, Jake Libby put the earlier mix-up involving Lategan behind him as he showed a full repertoire of shots on his way to a fine 57-ball fifty, his fourth of the competition to date.
With Worcestershire now enjoying their best period of the game, the partnership moved past 150 and the Rapids’ score beyond 225 as the Glamorgan bowlers struggled to find a way to halt the home side’s progress.
The 172-run partnership was eventually ended when Andy Gorvin took a fine catch running back over his head to dismiss Libby for 77, with the departing skipper’s side still requiring 48 from the final six overs, having added a staggering 172-runs for the fourth-wicket partnership.
Visit Worcestershire New Road soon rose to its feet to celebrate a sensational hundred from Rob Jones, a 101-ball innings of vital importance for his side, with the run chase nearing it’s climax.
Jones finished not-out on a career best List A score of 110, steering his side to a memorable five-wicket win.
