Worcestershire CCC Academy strengthened their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Royal London Under-17 County Cup with a seven wicket win over Devon at RGS Worcester.
It was the Academy’s third successive win in the competition, maintained their 100 per cent record and lifted them into pole position in Group 4A.
Victory into tomorrow’s final group match against Hampshire at Totton and Eling CC would make sure the Academy go through to the next phase of the competition.
In a rain-affected game reduced to 37 overs per side, Devon were put into bat and bowled out for 132 in 31 overs.
They were on the back foot after the new ball attack of George Marshall and Luke Tulacz reduced them to 32-5.
Devon rallied with a partnership of 54 between Luke Medlock (46) and Ben Privett (26).
Henry Marshall broke the stand by dismissing Privett and then Josh Baker accounted for Medlock and mopped up the middle-lower order.
George Marshall finished with figures of 6-1-23-2, Tulacz 5-0-22-2, Baker 8-0-34-3 and Henry Marshall 6-0-23-1.
When Worcestershire batted, number three batsman Alex Hinkley and number four Joe Miszkowski put on 57.
Hinkley reached his half century of 80 balls with eight fours before his dismissal and then Miszkowski (43 not out off 66 balls with three fours) and Henry Cullen (15 not out) sealed victory.
Academy Coach Elliot Wilson said: “We have been very sensible in doing the simple things very well all week and a couple of lads have stood up and put in performances.
“With the delays caused by the rain, the lads did very well to come out and do their stuff.
“If we win tomorrow, we will qualify, if we lose we still may qualify depending on other results. Hampshire are the other strongest side in the group.”
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Worcestershire Academy (v Hampshire)
Dan Holland
Henry Cullen
Ed Bragg
Luke Tulacz
Aaron Tomson
Oli Timperley
Dan Meredith
Josh Baker
Matt Davis
George Marshall
Henry Marshall
Charlie Williams
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CURRENT TABLE
Worcestershire Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0, Points 12
Hampshire 1, 1, 0, 4
Devon 1, 0, 1, 0
Gloucestershire 1, 0, 1, 0
Somerset 2, 0, 2, 0
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REMAINING FIXTURES
Today
Hampshire v Worcestershire
Somerset v Gloucestershire
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June 9
Devon v Gloucestershire
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June 16
Devon v Somerset
Gloucestershire v Hampshire
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June 23
Hampshire v Devon
