WORCESTERSHIRE went down by five wickets to Middlesex in the semi-finals of the Second XI Trophy competition at Radlett.

George Rhodes and Ryan Gibson hit half-centuries as the seconds were bowled out for 164 in 36.1 overs.

They made the hosts work hard for their runs in reply and two wickets from Pat Brown and Rhodes helped reduce them to 104-5.

But an unbroken stand of 64 between Tom Lace and James Fuller saw Middlesex to victory with 11 overs to spare.

Worcestershire, appearing in their first semi-final since 2004, can reflect on a successful campaign of 50-over cricket when they won four of their six group games.

The visitors lost skipper Ollie Westbury for nought but then Rhodes and Tom Fell (20) added 57 in 10.4 overs for the second wicket before the latter holed out to deep mid-wicket.

Four wickets then went down for 13 runs to leave the seconds on 75-5 before Rhodes and Gibson steadied proceedings with a stand of 44.

Rhodes, who went to his half-century off 60 balls with seven fours, was sixth out at 119 caught by Middlesex captain George Scott at mid-on for 58.

But no one was able to give much lower-order support to Gibson who ended unbeaten on 50 after clocking up his half-century from 52 deliveries with one six and five fours.

Brown struck an instant blow for the seconds when Scott (0) was caught by Ross Whiteley at first slip.

Dillon Pennington then had Robbie White (14) caught behind at 28-2.

The seconds continued to chip away with Rhodes bowling former England under 19 captain Max Holden (40) and then having New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin (21) pouched by Whiteley again at first slip.

Brown returned to have Jack Davies (10) caught behind but then Lace (39 not out) and ex-Gloucestershire paceman Fuller (42no) saw Middlesex to victory.

Previously, Josh Dell and trialist Safwaan Imtiaz provided the strongest resistance with the bat for Worcestershire seconds on the final day of the Championship match with Durham at Kidderminster.

But the hosts were bowled out for 146 in 45.1 overs and went down by 210 runs after Durham had batted on the morning and set a 357 target.

Dell top-scored with 49 from 77 balls with nine fours.

Wicketkeeper Imtiaz made 29 and helped Dell add 73 in 15 overs for the fifth wicket.

But either side of their partnership wickets fell at regular intervals.

Gavin Main made an early double breakthrough in dismissing opener Rhodes and Fell with only eight on the board.

Dell and Imtiaz joined forces at 57-4 and lifted the score to 130 but then the last six wickets went down for 16 runs.

Durham had resumed on 152-3 and added 84 in 19 overs for the loss of two wickets before the declaration at 236-5.

Dylan Ross-Watt bowled Sam Steel (65) and Mitchell Spencer held on to a return catch from James Weighell (40) to leave first-innings century-maker Bryden Carse unbeaten on 54.