THE Worcestershire Rapids progressed to the quarter-finals of the T20 Vitality Blast on Sunday after beating the Derbyshire Falcons by 28 runs in their final group-stage game.

After the draw with Durham on Friday, the Rapids knew they had to win to ensure they reached the competition's knockout stages.

And they did so in style as a brilliant display with both the bat and ball got them over the line, setting up a last-eight contest with the Hampshire Hawks at the Ageas Bowl on Friday night. 

Mitchell Santner again led from the front with the bat as he scored his third T20 half-century of the season and invaluable knocks from Jack Haynes and Adam Hose helped the Rapids' top order set a sizeable 222/5 from their 20 overs.

Usama Mir and Pat Brown both took three wickets each during Derbyshire's response and despite the best efforts of Harry Came and Wayne Madsen, Derbyshire fell short in their chase as they were bowled out for 194.

"It was an outstanding win," said head coach Alan Richardson. "We were under a lot of pressure with what was ultimately a knockout match to end the group stage.

"I thought the lads handled it brilliantly well, played with some real intent and put a performance together to give us a chance to win and we did.

Worcester News: Worcestershire Rapids head coach Alan Richardson was full of praise for his team after securing a quarter-final placeWorcestershire Rapids head coach Alan Richardson was full of praise for his team after securing a quarter-final place (Image: Worcestershire ccc)

"We want to win every competition we are in. We know that is very difficult to do but whenever it comes to the white ball games, it's about getting through qualification first, which was a huge ask for us, especially after last year (finishing bottom of the North Group) when we didn't perform anywhere near where we can.

"So the boys should take great pride in that and great heart in that so that is now the first objective done. But this is just the first bit of the journey towards trying to win the trophy."