WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids director of cricket Steve Rhodes hailed Joe Clarke's maiden NatWest T20 Blast half-century and said there was "no shame" in being beaten by Notts Outlaws at New Road.

Clarke scored an impressive 69 not out from 48 balls as North Group high-fliers Rapids posted 164-5 in their 20 overs.

But former New Road all-rounder Andre Russell and Dan Christian's stand of 64 in six overs was pivotal to Outlaws' four-wicket win with seven balls to spare.

Rhodes said: "Joe played well. I was pleased and he picked up his scoring rate towards the end.

"He ended up with a really good strike rate. Hopefully, there are many more of those (innings) to come from him.

"It was a crucial partnership between Andre and Dan. Andre, we saw him hit the ball for Barnards Green and then join us and hit the ball just as far!

"We knew what sort of weapon he is and he is an amazing cricketer. Dan played well and they are a very star-studded side.

"It is no shame to get beaten by them. We had our chances to win as well so that is quite encouraging.

"I still felt our score wasn't a bad one. It would have been nice to have scored another 20 runs but it was that partnership which killed us off."

Rhodes added: "Moeen (Ali) and Tom (Kohler Cadmore) got us off to a really good start in our innings, that was pleasing and we had a good foundation.

"Notts came back well in the middle period but when you come up against those two overseas players (Russell and Christian), you are desperately hoping they have an off-day, but they had a good day."