Steve Rhodes admitted Worcestershire Rapids lost too many early wickets and unable to lay a solid foundation to chase a modest 147 target as they went down by 48 runs to Derbyshire Falcons in the NatWest T20 Blast at the 3aaa County Ground.
The Rapids again lost too many top order batsmen during the powerplay as was the case in the weekend clash with Notts Outlaws and they were eventually dismissed for 98 in 15.4 overs.
It was a disappointing end to a campaign which saw the Rapids finish second from bottom in the North Group with three wins frm their 13 matches plus one abandonment.
Director Of Cricket Rhodes said: “It probably sums up the T20 campaign. We fell short with the bat there and we were only chasing 140 odd.
“We needed a good start and sadly the top order did not give us that.
“It is their job to build a foundation, do the middle bit of the innings and then finish it off but they never gave us a chance.
“To have five wickets down after 6.1 overs, very sad.”
The Rapids young attack produced a disciplined campaign in which the likes of George Scrimshaw and Alex Hepburn impressed.
Rhdoes said: “Did it go to plan with the ball? Very much so but we hadn’t got Wayne Madsen had we? He is an electric player in all formats, a player Derbyshire should be really proud of.
“He scores runs galore in all formats and is a very useful T20 player. Whilst he was still at the crease, a score of some substance was imminent.
“I thought George bowled well, good pace, good bounce and carry, some nice slow balls as well.
“That was good, I thought Brett bowled well…..I couldn’t really fault the bowling and the fielding. I thought we did a really good job.
“But to lose your top five wickets in that short space of time, you can’t really have a go at anyone else.
“The middle order and lower order were always going to struggle but sadly it is the top order that has hurt us again today.
“It hurt us against Notts in that T20 game and it has hurt us definitely tonight.
Rhodes added: “It’s about people having responsibility and putting their hand up and doing the job.
“Sadly that wasn’t to be with the guys at the top of the order.
“Maybe we look at that going forward for next year, try and get some different personnel in there.
“Certainly there have been guys who have been given the chances and they have not done it.
“There have been some positives about learning about T20 going forward for this team and the seam bowlers have found it very difficult.
“Looking at the way Tonguey has bowled in the T20s, and Pat (Brown) and Scrimy (Scrimshaw), it gives us some positives going forward.”
