Worcestershire Academy opener Matthew Lamb struck 93 off 79 balls but his side were edged out by one run in a thrilling 45 over encounter with Prince Alfred College, Adelaide at Kidderminster CC.
Lamb hit three sixes and 11 fours as the Academy chased a 277 target and, after the loss of two early wickets, he put on 93 for the third wicket with Flynn Gunston (35 off 39 balls).
Another 61 was added for the fourth wicket with Fin Goodman (44 off 46) before Lamb was fourth out with the total on 186.
A flurry of wickets left the Academy on 247-9 but the last wicket pair of Josh Leach (27 not out) and Ollie Smith (eight not out) revived their victory hopes.
Eleven were needed from the final over bowled by Will Davey but one boundary to Smith and five singles left the Academy just short on 275-9.
Earlier, Hamish Cash (93) had top scored for the visitors with spinner Ciaran Baker-Smith (9-0-35-1) the most economical Academy bowler.
Leach (7-0-44-2), Smith (8-1-42-1), Lucian Brockman (6-0-39-1) and skipper Joe Stanley (5-0-45-1) were the other wicket-takers.
*The Academy are back in action on Thursday (July 6) when they take on Wales Under-18s in a 50 over match at Bromsgrove School (11am start).
Worcestershire Academy
Ollie Walker
Ajay Shingadia
Haris Khan
Flynn Gunston
Seth Essenhigh (W)
Ben Clarke
Joe Stanley ©
Josh Leach
Ciaran Baker-smith
Harris Ajaz
Hayan Jafer
Ben Clements
