Worcestershire Rapids have opened up a three-point gap over fifth-placed Durham in the battle to seal a quarter-final spot in the Vitality Blast.
The Rapids 49 run success over Birmingham Bears maintained the third spot in the North Group heading into the final two matches.
But Durham’s defeat against Derbyshire Falcons widened the margin, and the Rapids are also only one point adrift of second-placed Yorkshire Vikings after their 10-wicket defeat to Notts Outlaws in a rain-shortened game at Trent Bridge.
The top two in both groups earn a home draw in the quarter-finals, with the third and fourth-placed teams having to play away.
The Rapids wind up their Group programme with the return meeting with the Bears at Edgbaston next Friday and then another away game, with Leicestershire Foxes, on Sunday week (July 18).
The remaining North Group fixtures are:
July 16
Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire Rapids
Lancashire Lightning v Durham
Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Derbyshire Falcons
Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws
July 17
Lancashire Lightning v Yorkshire Vikings
July 18
Derbyshire Falcons v Yorkshire Vikings
Birmingham Bears v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Durham
Leicestershire Foxes v Worcestershire Rapids
NORTH GROUP TABLE
Notts Played 12, Won 8, Lost 1, Tied 3, NR 0, Pts 19, Run Rate 1.445
Yorks 12, 7, 4, 0, 1, 15, 0.381
RAPIDS 12, 6, 4, 1, 1, 14, 0.569
Lancs 12, 5, 5, 1, 1, 12, 0.162
Durham 12, 5, 6, 0, 1, 11, 0.136
Birmingham 12, 5, 6, 0, 1, 11, -0.143
Derbys 12, 4, 7, 1, 0, 9, -0.326
Northants 12, 4, 7, 0, 1, 9, -0.887
Leics 12, 4, 8, 0, 0, 8, -0.147
