Joe Booth

Notts Outlaws produced a commendable bowling performance up front but failed to make their superiority count as Worcestershire Rapids recorded a win by 20 runs in the Vitality Blast at Trent Bridge. 

Calvin Hairrson and Ben Lister led from the front with economical returns for the hosts, but Nathan Smith shared a partnership of 82 with Adam Hose to set a target of 155. 

That proved unassailable for the Outlaws despite a partnership of 42 between Matt Montgomery and Will Young which looked to be providing a platform for the hosts.

Having won the toss, the visitors made a promising start in scoring 25 runs inside the first two overs - Matthew Waite hitting the first maximum by top-edging Dillion Pennington's delivery in the second over.

However, Ollie Stone's proficient bowling in the third over led to Waite's dimise - caught at short fine leg - before Ed Pollock saw his middle stump uprooted three balls later with his side on 28. 

The Rapids then collapsed from 50-2 to 59-6 in just three overs as the Outlaws turned the screw.

Josh Cobb and Rob Jones were caught searching for boundaries, Ethan Brookes was run out for six, and Calvin Harrison bowled Tom Taylor for two as the Notts Outlaws tore through the Rapids' middle order.

Hose and Smith rebuilt for the away side, though, accumulating watchfully before Hose was bowled for 36 by Lister in the 17th over, leaving the Rapids at 140-7. 

Smith brought up his half-century in the 19th over, with Hayden Walsh departing for six in the final over.

In reply, captain Clarke was caught and bowled by Tom Taylor in the second over, before Hales was caught at deep square for five leaving the Outlws 18/2.. 

Haynes was the third to go, given out lbw off the bowling of Finch after slapping him for straight six one delivery prior.

It left Notts ending the powerplay on 30/3, needing 124 off 84 balls.

By the halfway point of the Outlaws' innings, the Outlaws were 61-3 with Montgomery and Young building solidly.

Just as they seemed to be finding their groove, the game took a turn when Montgomery was caught at cover for 20 by Pollock off the bowling of Taylor.

He struck again with his next delivery, deflecting James' powerful drive onto the stumps, catching Young out of his crease.

With Notts five down, they still needed 81 more runs to secure victory.

It proved a bridge too far for the hosts despite a late flurry from Olly Stone after James holed out and Harrison was run out for 19.