GEORGE Rhodes heads back to Worcestershire tomorrow after a successful winter in New Zealand with Onslow despite missing out on the chance of lifting a second trophy.

Rhodes was dismissed for a first-ball duck as Onslow were bowled out for 99 and went down by 30 runs to Karori in the semi-finals of the CricHQ T20 competition.

But it was a rare failure by the all-rounder who played a major role in Onslow winning the Ewen Chatfield Trophy 50-over competition.

Rhodes was his side’s top scorer in the trophy and the sixth highest overall with 366 runs at an average of 40.67 and picked up seven wickets at 29.43.

He also made a big mark in the T20 and scored 165 runs in three innings for an average of 165.00 in the group stages, again finishing as Onslow’s leading run-getter plus six wickets at 7.17 apiece.

Rhodes will now have a week back at Blackfinch New Road before heading off with his team-mates for the pre-season camp in Abu Dhabi on March 8.

In his final appearance in the two-day Pearce Cup, Rhodes helped Onslow hang on for a draw after they had been forced to follow on against Victoria University.

Onslow were bowled out for 79 in reply to the university’s 320-7 declared with Rhodes dismissed for seven.

But an unbeaten 26 from Rhodes helped Onslow end on 69-4 in their second innings.