WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids' perfect start to the NatWest T20 Blast campaign was ended by Northamptonshire Steelbacks tonight.

Josh Cobb and Richard Levi steered the hosts to a third win in three matches with a seven-wicket victory at Northampton.

Chasing 144-6, 63 runs came off the powerplay to break the back of the chase and measured batting then saw Steelbacks cruise to victory with three overs to spare.

It was just Northants' third win over Rapids, who had won their first three matches, in the last 11 T20 meetings and they took over from their opponents at the top of the North Group.

Cobb struck three sixes in his 56 from 45 balls, pulling Matt Henry into the mobile bar behind the mid-wicket fence and lifting Jack Shantry over long-on.

His third six, again over mid-wicket, won the match.

Levi did most of his work in the powerplay, exploding the chase into life by taking 18 from the fifth over bowled by Joe Leach.

He lifted three boundaries over wide mid-off before a full toss was whacked backward of square leg.

Levi hoisted Brett D’Oliveria over long-on for the first six but offered up a return catch via a leading edge later in the over.

His 44 in 25 balls gave his side the perfect start and they went on to chase successfully for the third match in a row.

Such a quick start rendered Rapids' 144 far under-par and that required an innings from Daryl Mitchell, which he has largely become known for as County captain.

Carefully manoeuvring the bowling around and running well between the wickets, he made 44 in 36 balls.

He struck just two fours but it was a vital innings as Rapids managed only four overs in double figures.

After poor starts with the ball in the first two games, Steelbacks enjoyed an excellent powerplay when Worcestershire only made 37-3.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (2) fell to just the fifth ball, skying a drive to Cobb at mid-on.

Then came the big wicket of England's Moeen Ali (9), caught down the leg side trying to hook an Ollie Stone bouncer.

Stone celebrated with exuberance — a huge leap and punch of the air — but on landing fell in a heap and treatment followed.

He attempted to finish his over but collapsed in his delivery stride and had to be carried from the ground.

The incident took the edge off the atmosphere on a cloudy night at Wantage Road and the remainder of Rapids' innings did little to enliven the crowd.

Alexei Kervezee (14) only found long-on trying to up the scoring rate and from 65-4 careful batting was needed to steer the visitors through the innings.

They took eight overs between boundaries with Ross Whiteley eventually swinging Graeme White over the long mid-wicket boundary but he fell on 23, caught at deep-square leg.

Rapids found little to pick themselves up for the rest of the night.