Drew Owen and Travis Holland led the way as Nottinghamshire’s U18s outclassed their Derbyshire counterparts at the Notts Sports Ground, speeding to a six-wicket victory.
Off-spinner Owen took four wickets as Derbyshire were dismissed for 176 inside 49 overs, while opener Holland ensured the hosts would make light work of the chase in compiling a brisk 85.
Visiting captain Archie Harrison won the toss for his side, and was able to watch on contentedly during the opening exchanges as Derbyshire’s openers shared a half-century partnership.
Abneer Irfan got the breakthrough, however, when a miscued pull from Chris Lawrence (21), however, found the hands of Sam King on the leg-side.
Nafis Shaikh (12) was next to go, holing out to Holland off the bowling of Academy Player of the Season King, before Mitchell Wagstaff’s fluent knock was curtailed on 49 when he was trapped lbw by Owen.
Owen went on to induce an errant shot from Alex Haleem (1), who was snaffled at mid-on by Ben Panter, before Qundeel Haider had James Lawton caught by Fateh Singh for five.
Harrison, meanwhile, had been attempting to rebuild the Derbyshire innings at the other end, but he was lured out of his crease by Owen when on 33, leaving wicketkeeper Dan Frost to complete a routine stumping.
Owen and Frost repeated the trick four overs later, with Adam Lane (1) the victim on this occasion, before a pinpoint throw from King ran out Zehn Rana (16).
Fateh Singh completed the job, proving too good for the tailend pair of Wade Veitch (1) and Saad Sarwary (9).
In reply, openers Holland and Lucas Stentiford made a confident start, Holland in particular piercing the fence with frequency.
The pair put on 84 before Stentiford was caught and bowled by Jonny Lawrence for 24, but Holland continued his innings in much the same vein.
Holland punished any loose deliveries from the Derbyshire attack, but was equally adept at dispatching his opponents’ good balls – an effortless straight drive early in his innings set the tone.
The right-hander would ultimately hole out off Sarwary – but with the score on 135 for two as Notts approached the halfway stage of their chase, the result was already all-but beyond doubt.
Qundeel Haider (27) and Sam King maintained the momentum – and after Haider and Freddie McCann (4) departed, it was left to King (30*) to complete the rout with a six, Notts running out victorious with more than 16 overs to spare.
View the full scorecard here.
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