WORCESTERSHIRE'S Second XI Trophy fate hangs in the balance after a seven-wicket loss to Lancashire at Barnt Green.

The seconds have now completed their North Group programme with eight points from six matches.

That is enough for second spot behind Warwickshire, who moved ahead of them on net run rate after defeating Yorkshire, as things stand.

The top two from the North Group and the South Group go into the last four.

But Yorkshire, Durham and MCC Young Cricketers could all overhaul Worcestershire if results and net run rates go in their favour with their remaining fixtures spread over the next fortnight.

George Rhodes scored his second Trophy century in a week and batted throughout the innings for his 135 not-out from 146 balls with one six and 17 fours.

But England Test opener Haseeb Hameed replied with 107 for Lancashire who reached a 286 target with five balls to spare.

Rhodes shared in an opening stand of 63 in 14 overs with skipper Oliver Westbury (16) who was caught behind.

Ryan Tongue (23) helped Rhodes add 66 in 14 overs before being bowled.

The major partnership of the Worcestershire innings saw Rhodes and Josh Dell (66) put on 132 in 19 overs for the fifth wicket.

Rhodes completed his first half century off 73 balls but needed only another 54 to get to three figures with the aid of 13 fours.

The stand was broken when Dell, who struck one six and six boundaries in his 72-ball knock, was caught at cover.

Hameed and fellow opener Rob Jones (68) laid the foundations for Lancashire’s victory with a partnership of 149 in 28.1 overs before the latter edged Ben Twohig to first slip.

Twohig bowled a tight spell and ended with figures of 10-1-41-2 while Grant Thornton only conceded 27 runs in eight overs.

But Hameed figured in further stands of 78 with the aggressive Dan Lamb, who was caught at mid wicket for 63, and 50 with JJ Bohannon (20*).

He was eventually caught behind, having struck two sixes and 11 fours in his 123-ball innings, with only nine needed for victory.
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WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS

Rhodes not out 135

Westbury c Yates b Bohannon 16

Barrett c Hurt b Lamb 1

Milton c Yates b Bohannon 2

Tongue b Bohannon 23

Dell c Lester b Lamb 66

Twohig not out 6

Extras 36

Total (for five wickets) 285 in 50 overs

FOW: 63, 67, 70, 136, 268

BOWLING

Hurt 9-1-60-0

Lester 9-1-48-0

Lamb 10-0-44-2

Bohannon 10-1-38-3

Balderson 5-0-36-0

Morley 7-0-42-0
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LANCASHIRE SECONDS

Jones c Rhodes b Westbury 68

Hameed c Milton b Sturgess 107

Lamb c Tongue b Twohig 63

Bohannon not out 20

Chanderpaul not out 8

Extras 22

Total (for 3 wickets) 288 in 49.1 overs

FOW: 149, 227, 277

BOWLING

Sturgess 7.1-0-38-1

Brown 8-0-70-0

Twohig 10-1-41-2

Thornton 8-0-27-0

Ul Hassan 8-0-51-0

Rhodes 8-0-53-0
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TABLE

Warwicks Played 5, Points 8, Net Run Rate 2.100

WORCS 6, 8, 0.236

Yorks 5, 6, 1.001

Northants 6, 6, -0.312

Leics 5, 5, 0.334

Durham 4, 4, 0.870

MCC YC 4, 4, -0.695

Derbys 5, 3, -1.711

Lancs 4, 2, -1.032

Notts 4, 2, -1.140
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KEY FIXTURES

May 31 – Nottinghamshire v Durham at Grantham

June 1 – Warwickshire v MCC YC at Edgbaston

June 4 – Durham v Lancashire at Emirates Riverside

June 5 – Yorkshire v MCC YC at York