Jake Libby continued his fine form at the top of the order as Nottinghamshire’s Academy sealed an eight-wicket win over Clifton Village in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.
The opening batsman scored 98 as Notts completed a routine chase after Ben Kitt claimed 4-33 to ensure the visitors to Lady Bay were all out for 203.
Kitt ripped through the Clifton top order, claiming the first three wickets of the match, at 21-3 the odds had already shifted in the Academy’s favour.
Adam Shepherd and Martin Weightman added 50 for the fourth wicket, before Adam Tillcock claimed the wicket of the former. The latter made 50 before hitting Dal to Riecko Parker-Cole at midwicket.
Simon Walton claimed a couple before Dal then accounted for Luke Gunn, the Clifton batsmen offering contributions to the score without adding meaningful runs.
At 181-8 Alastair Walters joined Peter Vladev, only to then be bowled by the returning Kitt for eight. Parker-Cole then picked up his first to wrap up the Clifton innings for 203.
Jake Libby and Tom Moores opened for the Academy and played steadily, bringing up the 50 in the 16th over. By drinks in the 25th, the pair had reached 94-0, Libby having passed 50.
The partnership was broken on 120, with Moores hitting Khan to backward point for 38, but under the stewardship of Libby and Anuj Dal Notts passed 150.
Libby was finally trapped LBW just two runs shy of his century again to Khan, but Adam Tillcock and Dal saw Notts home, the final runs coming from five wides. Dal ended unbeaten on 41*, Tillcock having scored 4.