WORCESTERSHIRE'S players, officials and supporters have given a cautious welcome to short-form cricket.

New Road staged its first experimental match yesterday, with the County beating Glamorgan by 31 runs.

The match was a 25-over contest starting at 5pm in a bid to attract more fans, particularly children and people returning from work.

A competition is planned between the 18 first-class counties next season who would be split into six groups with winners then taking part in a knockout stage.

Worcestershire secretary Mike Vockins said after the game: "I have been very pleased with it and certainly very pleased with the crowd.

"I would have liked to see a few more here but there seemed to be a broad cross-section such as dads with young boys who haven't been here before, Beaver packs, school parties and traditional members.

"It is difficult to say after one game but I think it has all the right ingredients to take off."

Skipper Graeme Hick said: "There were a lot of kids here so maybe it is a game that will appeal to them and bring them back.

"I think it will be good as long as it doesn't tighten up the programme too much. It doesn't take long but it is another game and another afternoon's cricket. We shall see how it all fits in."

Of the supporters, Reg Dyson, from Lower Broadheath, said: "If the weather is right, it will catch on. It is a good idea because people can come in the evening -- you have to have a match when people can come these days."

Atmosphere

Alan Roberts, from Bringsty, agreed. "It is a good idea. There aren't many Sunday games this year and it is ideal for after work."

However, Martin Duckhouse from Battenhall, Worcester, believes the format needs to be changed. "If they want to do this type of cricket it needs to be jazzed up. It feels a bit dead - not much atmosphere.

"It needs to be done a bit like the Australians do - it needs a bit more crowd participation."

Hick led the way for the County, hitting three sixes in his 78 and sharing a third-wicket stand of 117 with Vikram Solanki (44) as they totalled 178-5.

Glamorgan fell away after a good start to be bowled out for 147, spinner Richard Illingworth grabbing three late wickets.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Pollard c Jones b Thomas 10

Spiring c Dawood b Jones 2

Hick c Powell b Dale 78

Solanki b George 44

Haynes c Dawood b Dale 3

Leatherdale not out 9

Rhodes not out 13

Extras: 19

Total: (5 wkts, 25 overs) 178

Fall: 1-15, 2-20, 3-137, 4-151, 5-151.

Bowling: Thomas 5-0-28-1; Jones 5-0-36-1; Dale 5-0-32-2; Cosker 5-0-36-0; George 5-0-39-1.

GLAMORGAN

James c Hick b Lampitt 18

Thomas b Illingworth 37

Evans c Leatherdale b Hick 37

Maynard b Rawnsley 12

Dale lbw Hick 5

Powell not out 21

Law run out 0

Dawood run out 0

George st Rhodes b Rawnsley 0

Jones st Rhodes b Illingworth 5

Cosker st Rhodes b Illingworth 0

Extras: 12

Total (24.5 overs) 147

Fall: 1-56, 2-67, 3-111, 4-117, 5-123, 6-123, 7-124, 8-138, 9-147.

Bowling: Newport 4-0-25-0; Haynes 3-0-21-0; Lampitt 4-0-20-1; Illingworth 4.5-0-35-3; Hick 4-0-21-2; Rawnsley 5-1-19-2.