WORCESTERSHIRE Royals will be playing in the second division of the National League next season after losing by seven wickets to fellow strugglers Yorkshire Phoenix at New Road yesterday.

The Tykes condemned the County to relegation by reaching a 224 victory target with eight balls to spare.

It was the fifth league defeat on the trot for bottom-of-the-table Worcestershire who finished runners-up to Glamorgan Dragons last season.

Disappointed skipper Ben Smith said: "In the last six weeks we haven't played well enough to earn a place in the first division next year. But next season we'll work on a one-day game strategy, adhere to it and work hard on trying to come straight back up."

The County's relegation has come of the back of their promotion from division two of the Frizzell County Championship.

Smith said: "It's actually quite common that teams who have done really well in four-day cricket haven't thrived in the one-day competition."

Worcestershire, who still have two league games left to play, were sent tumbling to defeat by Matthew Wood and Michael Lumb who figured in a match-winning third wicket stand worth 114 in 23 overs.

Opener Wood led the way with 91, which included a six and 12 fours off 128 balls, while Lumb was undefeated on 62 with eight fours off 72 deliveries.

Earlier, the County, after winning the toss, made 223-7 with Graeme Hick top scoring with 52, hitting eight fours off 61 balls in his fourth league half century of the season.

He joined the battle after Anurag Singh had been removed for a 'duck' by paceman Matthew Hoggard, who quickly followed up to dismiss promoted Gareth Batty for nine.

Further success for relegation-haunted Yorkshire, however, was held up by a 56-run stand between Vikram Solanki and Hick.

Solanki was making steady progress until being caught at short mid-wicket by Wood off paceman Ryan Sidebottom for 32.

Back-to-form Hick was next to go when he drove Victor Craven to Anthony McGrath who held on to a smart catch at extra cover.

A further injection of runs was provided by Justin Kemp who made 46. He put on 63 with Smith, who remained undefeated on 42.