Notts Academy saw their 100 per cent record in the Bassetlaw League come to an end after a three-week break with a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Notts & Arnold Amateurs.
With Notts Assistant Manager Wayne Noon looking after the first team against Oxford UCCE, the Academy were captained by Sam Kelsall, who was asked to bat first after losing the toss.
Although Kelsall was bowled for 13, Sam Wood and Ben McGuire made steady progress on a green, seamer-friendly pitch.
But when Wood was caught and bowled for 46 by Ian Flood, wickets began to fall steadily. Flood finished with 5-33 and only Kevon Cooper reached 30 among the remaining Notts batsmen, who saw Director of Cricket Mick Newell make a rare appearance in the middle to face four balls before the last wicket fell, finishing unbeaten in a Notts total of 148.
The Academy made a good start to defending their total with a tremendous reaction catch Kevon Cooper, who managed to parry the ball and dive behind him to catch the ball inches from the ground to dismiss Flood for one.
Ben McGuire again looked dangerous with the ball, ending his six-over spell with figures of 6-3-3-2, but Dillon Cooray’s 61 not out steered the home side to victory.
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