WORCESTERSHIRE supporters have not been put off by last year's bitterly disappointing Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy final performance and will be setting off for Lord's in their hordes again on Saturday.

There had been fears that interest in this year's repeat showdown against Gloucestershire would be diminished following the County's grim display last August when they plunged to a one-sided seven wicket defeat.

But New Road chief executive Mark Newton reports that the 'buzz' surrounding another Lord's appearance is growing by the day.

He said: "I think the interest is similar to last year. After last season's performance I expected a drop off in demand for tickets to go to Lord's again this time. I didn't think too many people would want to go through that again!

"But we have been very surprised by the demand for tickets which will certainly be equal if not more than last year.

"With sport half the success is about expectation. People obviously want you to deliver on the day, but it's always about looking forward and by getting to Lord's, of course, we have had the whole of August to look forward to it."

Interest in the final has been steadily growing since July 17 when the County booked their place with 41 runs win over Warwickshire at Edgbaston, thanks to a man-of-the-match century from Vikram Solanki.

It was a performance which oozed confidence to hoist Worcestershire's eager troops into the perfect frame of mind to put the records straight following last year's painful experience.

Newton said: "We are only a short time away now from having to do it, and I'm actually very confident that we will win. I've got a good feeling about it.

"The team are certainly up for it after last year and I think everybody involved with Worcestershire County Cricket Club wants that trophy.

"There is an edge to it there's no doubt about that. There are a lot of people in the team who want pay back for last year, it's as simple as that.

"Supporters are very, very keen to see us avenge last year. It's ironic that we generally play very well against Gloucestershire most of the time but, of course, they are such a good team in one-day cricket. For some unknown reason it all went wrong for us last year, but we believe this time we will be the better team and the supporters believe that too."

Newton admits, however, that he has been a little surprised by how many supporters want to make the trip after bouncing back from last year's disappointment.

He said: "I am genuinely surprised that as many people as last year seem to want to go, but they do. And that's great for the cricket club.

"I can't wait to get back there and for the club it would be nice to get back into winning one-day trophies. The last time was in 1994 which is ten years ago so it would be nice to bring the trophy back with us.

"But from a personal point of view, being a relative newcomer here, I feel it's about time we were able to deliver a trophy to our supporters. It would mean an awful lot to us all personally."

And it they do overcome Gloucestershire and bring back the silverware County supporters will be given the opportunity to get a close-up view of the prestigious trophy.

Newton said: "What we are going to do if we do win is to have a reception back at the marquee at New Road at 1pm on Sunday.

"The team will be travelling back from London by coach and they'll go into the marquee and there will be a celebration which all members are invited to join informally on the day."