Worcestershire’s Academy are through to the semi-finals of the Birmingham Premier League Graham Williamson Trophy for the first time after knocking out holders and home side Barnt Green.
The Academy sealed a four wicket win with 5.4 overs to spare after bowling out Barnt Green, the winners of the competition for the past three seasons, for 140.
A fine half century from Henry Cullen, with excellent support from Oliver Halion, enabled Worcestershire to recover from 15-3 and set up a semi-final meeting with Ombersley.
New ball bowler Ben Parker set the tone for the Academy with a probing spell and picked up the prized wicket of Worcestershire batter, Ed Pollock.
He was caught at mid-off, a sharp head high catch by Olly Davidson moving to his left, after making 20 off 16 balls
Parker (8-0-29-3) removed both openers and then Reeve Evitts continued the superb form he had shown for the Seconds in the win over Gloucestershire at Kidderminster.
He picked up four of the next five wickets and ended with figures of 7-1-30-4.
Spinners Davidson and Josh Dickenson maintained a tight grip and had combined figures of 14.4-1-36-3.
The Academy lost three early wickets in reply, two of them to Andrew Sutton, a member of the Worcestershire coaching staff.
But wicket-keeper-batter Cullen and Halion figured in the decisive stand of 78 in 18.1 overs.
Halion (35) was eventually caught by Pollock at first slip but Evitts joined Cullen and the pair ensured there were no late alarms.
They added 40 and only eight were needed for victory when Cullen, having made 61 off 78 balls with one six and five fours, was caught by Pollock at mid wicket.
Evitts went for 21 four runs later and he and Cullen were both dismissed by Cameron Jones who played for Worcestershire Seconds in the win against Gloucestershire.
Dickenson and Davidson saw the Academy over the finishing line to complete a fine win.
Ombersley defeated Kenilworth Wardens to set up the meeting with the Academy in the semi-finals
