For the second time in as many days, Yorkshire failed to chase down a score of over 200 as their disappointing start to this season’s Twenty20 competition continued at Worcestershire.

Like at Headingley on Thursday, when they lost to Derbyshire, an asking rate of more than ten an over proved too much for the Tykes as they were beaten by 21 runs at New Road.

The damage was once more done by an indifferent bowling display by the Tykes.

Apart from the impressive Adil Rashid, who finished with figures of 3-32, the rest of the Yorkshire attack failed to make significant in-roads after losing the toss and being asked to field.

The assault on them started early, with the Royals’ captain, Vikram Solanki, hitting Azeem Rafiq for 17 from the first over as his side exploded during the first powerplay to reach 74-2 from the first six overs.

The hosts’ skipper and Phil Jacques were the men who were out, both for 30, but the damage was done with Worcestershire already on their way to a big total.

Three more wickets in successive overs briefly gave Yorkshire hope, with Rashid picking up two of them, before James Cameron made an entertaining 51 to propel the Royals over 200.

Their final total of 208 meant Yorkshire, without overseas batsmen Herschelle Gibbs who was out with a stiff neck, had to surpass the county’s previous highest run-chase in Twenty20 cricket in order to win – and that never looked likely.

Three quick-wickets in 12 balls effectively ended their chances.

Firstly, captain Andrew Gale was ousted for 25 by Gareth Andrew after quickly moving the score on to 28 in the third over.

Then Adam Lyth, for a duck, and Jacques Rudolph, for 16, fell in successive overs to Imran Arif and Andrew as Yorkshire’s top order collapsed.

It meant the Tykes had slumped to 43-3 and when Gerard Brophy went for 17 their hopes of a dramatic victory where realistically over.

As ever in Twenty20 cricket, the final outcome was not quite secured, and a partnership of 65 runs from just 38 balls from Anthony McGrath and Rashid did at least keep the match alive.

Together they moved the total on to 140-6, but, with the run-rate nearing 20 an over, Rashid was ousted by Jack Shantry for 34.

McGrath then went for 39 in the 18th over and, with the Tykes eventually requiring 35 from the last over, the 4,500 fans inside New Road celebrated a home victory.