The Nottinghamshire academy were beaten by top of the league Rolls Royce by the narrowest of margins thanks to a stubborn final wicket partnership of 62.

The home side won the toss, and asked the Academy to bat first, the choice proving fruitful as opening batsman Sam Kelsall was removed, caught behind after three balls.

Tom Rowe and Hassan Azad then steadied the ship, taking the score to 38 before Lungley found Rowe’s edge and he departed for five.

The third wicket partnership was profitable, Sam Wood and Azad adding 64 before the latter gloved a delivery to Shafique in the 22nd over. 

Wood fell for 38, and three wickets followed for thirty runs, leaving the young Notts side on 141-6.

Brett Hutton and George Bacon then attempted to steady the ship, before falling in successive overs to Roberts and Shepherd respectively.

The final wicket partnership saw Notts complete their fifty overs and achieve 192-9, Hutton 31*. For Rolls Royce, the pick of the bowlers was Shepherd, who finished the innings with 4-43.

Mindful of the total and the form of their opponents, the Academy tore into the Rolls Royce top order. After three overs the hosts were on 14-3, with two wickets for Luke Wood – Birch caught behind for five and trapping Shafique (7).

Luke Fletcher’s wicket sandwiched the two for Wood, George Bacon seeing off the Notts regular, caught behind by Dalby for a three-ball duck.

The home side added 53 for the next wicket, before Hutton and Tilcock struck in quick succession, removing Lungley (34) and Andrews (13) respectively, leaving Rolls Royce stumbling on 69-5.

Notts looked on course for a second win in three days after their bowling attack continued to take wickets when needed. Tillcock and Kitt took one each, before two more for Wood saw the home side nine down for 133, needing sixty to win.

Adam Shepherd joined Atkinson at the crease, and together they ground out an impressive partnership of 62 to ensure that by the end of their fifty overs, Rolls Royce stayed top of the pile.