Hamish Rutherford struck a 74-ball century, whilst Ben Cotton returned best figures of 4-43, as Derbyshire Falcons got their new Royal London One-Day Cup campaign off to a winning start versus Worcestershire Rapids.
Rutherford (104) shared a century stand with Billy Godleman (61), before Wayne Madsen (69 not out) and Neil Broom (45 not out) created a century partnership of their own to take the Falcons to their target of 296 to win by seven wickets with 11 balls to spare.
The chase had been set after Derbyshire bowled their hosts out for 295, with Cotton picking up career-best figures in white-ball cricket, and Andy Carter (2-38) and Shiv Thakor (2-59) picking up two wickets each.
Asked to bowl first, the Falcons got off to an ideal star with Cotton taking the wickets of Rapids openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore (0) and Daryl Mitchell (9) within the first eight overs.
Alexei Kervezee and Joe Clarke added a threatening 115 for the third wicket, but Thakor made the breakthrough when he trapped the latter lbw for a quick-fire 71. Clarke was out soon after when he was run out by Madsen on 44 before Thakor picked up another wicket, bowling Brett D’Oliveira for six to leave the hosts 143-5 in the 26th.
Cotton secured his third wicket to end a 81-run stand between Ben Cox and Ross Whiteley as Broom took the catch of Cox for 27 – his second catch of the match. Whiteley added a vital 61 from 49 deliveries for his side, but was out when he was adjudged lbw to Matt Critchley as Worcestershire moved to 246-7 with seven overs remaining.
Cotton ensured he would finish the innings with career-best List A figures when he bowled Joe Leach for a useful 32, as the seamer claimed 4-43. Carter then picked up the final two wickets of the Rapids innings as Worcestershire were bowled out for 295 in the last over.
Falcons openers Godleman and Chesney Hughes got off to a steady start before Hughes was run out for seven. That brought Rutherford to the crease to join and the pair set about creating an ultimately match-winning partnership for the second wicket.
Rutherford began fairly slowly, but quickly got into the groove, getting to his half-century by striking his fourth six off the 36th ball he faced. Godleman joined Rutherford in passing fifty soon after, with his half-century coming from 66 balls as the partnership passed the hundred mark and continued to grow.
Despite losing Godleman for 61, Rutherford moved through to his second List A century for Derbyshire in just four fixtures, having faced 74 balls and hit six fours and seven maximums.
The New Zealander’s superb innings would end on 104 but, together with Godleman, Rutherford had batted Derbyshire into a commanding position on 194-3 with 14 overs remaining.
The two quick wickets brought Madsen and Broom together and the duo began to build a century partnership of their own to lead their side to victory.
Madsen finished the chase in style, hitting his seventh four, having faced 53 balls and scored 69 not out, as the Falcons got to their target with 11 balls and seven wickets to spare. Broom, meanwhile, had played a similarly impressive innings, and ended 45 not out from 38 balls.
Can the Falcons make it two wins from two games in the Royal London One-Day Cup? They face Durham at The 3aaa County Ground on Tuesday 7 June and supporters can save 20% by purchasing their ticket in advance.
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