WORCESTERSHIRE'S nightmare season hit rock bottom yesterday when they were relegated from the Norwich Union National League Division One following a disastrous eight wicket defeat against Kent Spitfires at New Road.

After topping the table by eight points on June 24, they have tumbled through the trap door following a desperate run of seven defeats and two no results.

The Spitfires remain in the top flight after reaching a modest victory target of 99 with 18.1 overs to spare.

Afterwards acting captain Steve Rhodes said: "Unfor-tunately we were outplayed by a better team on the day.

"We got behind a little bit losing wickets early on and never really recovered.

"It may seem strange to the supporters but the lads were trying. It just didn't work out."

Rhodes said he had no regrets about deciding to bat first after winning the toss.

He said: "We have not chased very well this year and it has been a major problem for us. We did think if we got a total of about 150 then we could win. That was going to be our plan. Unfortunately we fell short and credit to the Kent guys. They bowled and fielded very well."

Rhodes added that the turning point in the season came after the controversial NatWest Trophy replay against Gloucestershire. "It seemed to knock the stuffing out of us and the lads have lost a bit of confidence."

He also paid tribute to Richard Illingworth who received a standing ovation on his farewell appearance after 19 seasons at New Road.

"Richard and myself have played so much cricket together. We were brought up in a very similar area in Bradford and I've had some tremendous times with him.

"It's a shame to see him go. He's still bowling very, very well, particularly in the one-day game. Whoever is out there and snaps him up I'm sure he'll give us a hard time when he plays against us."

The County were dismissed yesterday for a miserable 98 in 36.3 overs - their lowest league total of the season.

They were never able to get to grips with the Kent attack in which paceman Martin Saggers impressed by taking 3-25.

Worcestershire's total tally of boundaries was nine, three of which came from Vikram Solanki who top scored with 28.

Solanki was one of three County batsmen to survive catches in the earlier stages of their innings.

He was put down at first slip by Steve Marsh when he had reached ten, while James Pipe and Paul Pollard had earlier offered chances to Paul Nixon and David Fulton. The only glimmer of resistance came from Sol-anki and David Leatherdale who put on 28 in five overs for the fourth wicket.

Kent were guided towards tvictory by Marsh (38) and James Hockley (36 not out) who put on 50 in eight overs for the second wicket.