WORCESTERSHIRE are through to the semi-finals of the Second XI Trophy for the first time in 14 years.

Coach Alex Gidman’s side are now guaranteed to finish runners-up in the North Division of the 50 over competition and will visit Middlesex in the last four on June 15.

The only side who were still able to overhaul them at the start of play today were MCC Young Cricketers.

But they were bowled out for 193 by Yorkshire Seconds at Clifton Park, York.

That left them facing the unlikely scenario of having to bowl out Yorkshire for eight or less to finish with a better net run rate than Worcestershire.

Yorkshire reached that total without losing a wicket to ensure a last four spot for Worcestershire.

It is no more than they deserved after playing some excellent cricket in the group stages to finish runners-up to Warwickshire.

Worcestershire won their opening four games against Warwickshire, Derbyshire, MCC YC and Nottinghamshire before being edged out in the final two by Durham and Lancashire.

The County last reached the semi-finals in 2004 and they went onto win the competition that year, defeating Essex in the final at New Road.