HEREFORDSHIRE are relishing the prospect of playing Worcestershire after their giant-killing Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy triumph over Middlesex.

A breathtaking three-wicket win off the penultimate ball in yesterday's third round tie at Luctonians CC will be rewarded with a trip to New Road on Wednesday, July 11.

Bryan Smith, chairman of Herefordshire's selection committee, said: "We are really looking forward to going to New Road. The tie should whet the appetite of the cricket followers in both counties."

Of the Middlesex game, Smith said: "We thought that if we could keep them to under 300 and make 200 or so ourselves it would be a good day to win - that is absolutely fantastic."

Gold medal winner Harshad Patel, who was the game's top scorer with 68, added: "It was the proudest moment of my career.

"The side has a great belief in itself and we set out to get the challenging 279 we wanted in a positive manner."

Twenty-year-old Nathan Round, who shared a 129-run opening stand with Patel, of which he scored 66, said: "To win the 38 County Cup final at Lord's last August and now to contribute to this victory - I still can't believe it".

It was the first time Herefordshire have beaten a first-class county, and the first victory by any Minor County over a first-class side in the competition for 13 years.

Watching the game was Colin Addison, who masterminded Hereford United's epic 2-1 FA Cup victory over Newcastle United 29 years ago.

He said: "It was Herefordshire's cricket equivalent of that glorious footballing day, a wonderful result for the players, officials and followers."

Mike Vockins, the former Worcester-shire secretary, presented the man-of-the-match award to Patel, saying: "A great game of cricket, nip and tuck all the way right until the final ball."

Looking forward to the New Road showdown, the County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: "It's a dangerous game for us. They will be over the moon at yesterday's result.

"It's a game we are going to have to be totally on top of and in a way these matches are more dangerous than those you face against first-class sides."