Nottinghamshire’s Seconds soared to victory against Hampshire, winning by 161 runs – as Billy Root and Lyndon James both made half-centuries and Matt Carter romped his way to a five-wicket haul.
On the third, and final, day’s play at Lady Bay, the Seconds on their overnight score of 122-2 (40 overs) and Joe Barrett and Connor Marshall resumed at the crease.
Their third-wicket stand ceased when, in the second over of the day, Marshall (12) was trapped lbw, Notts 131-3, and Barrett (34) toppled in the next over, making the score 133-4.
The onus, then, fell upon James and Root to deliver for the home side – and they did; the combative duo notched their 100-partnership in the 59th over and, in the 60th, both players attained their 50s.
Root’s milestone was achieved having faced 50 balls, his total made up of fives fours and two sixes, while James’ comprised of eight fours and one six, off 58 balls; and their fifth-wicket stand could not be breached as Notts declared on 270-4 (63 overs), with Root unbeaten on 67 and James 61 not out.
Hampshire, needing 336 to win with 71 overs left in the match, waned – despite the best efforts of Bradley Taylor, who scored 87, but he was dismissed off of the bowling of Carter.
Ben Kitt finished with credible figures of 3-33 off 12 overs, but it was Carter’s day, ending with 5-63 from 19.4 overs.
The moment of the game to savour, however, came when last man Andy Carter fell to his brother Matt, out for four and caught by Anuj Dal at deep mid-wicket, rendering Hampshire all out for 174 and Nottinghamshire winners by 161 runs.