DEFEATED head coach Alex Gidman argued Worcestershire had succumbed to a Warwickshire side that had “played extremely well” on derby day.

The Rapids lost by 34 runs in the Royal London One Day Cup at New Road on Sunday with Sam Hain rattling off an unbeaten 161 for the visitors.

Hain understandably came in for praise from Gidman who also highlighted opposing captain Jeetan Patel for his steadying influence when the chips were down.

“The lads will feel they’ve just missed an opportunity to get another win,” said Gidman.

“Credit to Sam Hain. That really was a genuinely good innings and they managed to wrestle back momentum well after our start.

“I’m all for learning how we can get better but at the same time you’ve sometimes got to accept that someone or a team has played extremely well and that innings was very good and got them to what, in our opinion, was an over-par score.

“Credit to Jeetan Patel and the way he captained in a 10-over period. I thought he led their team superbly well.

“He took a bit of a risk and we didn’t quite have the skill set today to get over that and over the line.”

Hain, whose tally was a career-best List A score, said: “I did enjoy it. I’ve been a little bit light of runs in the one-day stuff so far.

“I tried to put a bit of a performance on for the boys and it was nice from a personal point and as a team of view to put the boys in a decent position.

“The wicket was a little bit tacky. There was a bit of moisture underneath so I found it hard initially to put pressure back on the bowlers.

“I made the decision to see it through and then try and catch up at the back end of the innings.

“It was nice it came off. I got a bit of luck early on but I will take it.

“You know with Worcestershire that they are going to come hard when they bat but it was up to us to hold their skills and hold our nerve.

“Good on the lads for getting the job done and we will take that momentum into the next game.”

Worcestershire academy Coach Elliot Wilson will be the guest speaker at the Cricket Society’s Annual General Meeting in the Graeme Hick Pavilion tomorrow (7pm).

Wilson has overseen the development of many players from academy to senior team level since replacing the late Damian D’Oliveira five years ago.

Society Members will also be asked to approve the election of interim chairman Richard Shaw as the permanent replacement for Mike Vockins.