Worcestershire Seconds ended the 2024 campaign in style with an innings and 263 runs win over Northamptonshire in a Second Eleven Championship match at Dunstable.
Worcestershire amassed 616-8 declared from 143 overs in their first innings – their second highest total in the Second Eleven Championship.
They then bowled out Northamptonshire for 146 and, when they followed on, were dismissed for 207 as Worcestershire triumphed with a day and a half to spare.
The highlight of the Worcestershire innings was a superb 234 from keeper-batter Henry Cullen, the highest ever SEC score by a Worcestershire player (see separate story).
It was his maiden three figure score for the Seconds and his partnership of 203 with Harry Darley (105) was also a Worcestershire SEC record for the eighth wicket.
Darley also registered his first century since scoring one in an Under-13 game for Oswestry.
Northamptonshire were then bowled out for 146 in their first innings in 46.2 overs by the end of the second day despite opener Jack Bates (68 not out) carrying his bat.
Triallist Seb Allison picked up the first three wickets to reduce the home side to 22-3 and then his new ball partner George O’Connor struck two blows.
Spinner Tom Hinley, who last week signed a rookie professional contract with Worcestershire for the 2025 season, and another triallist in Andrew Neal mopped up the lower Northamptonshire order.
Allison finished with 10-0-34-3, O’Connor 13-4-22-2, Neal 6.2-2-7-2 and Hinley 8-1-27-2.
Northamptonshire were asked to follow on and Allison again made an early breakthrough before Toby Cox struck in successive overs.
Northamptonshire reached 140-3 at lunch but then wickets fell in quick succession when play resumed to bring the game to a swift conclusion.
Seven wickets fell for 67 runs in 19.4 overs during that period.
The wickets were shared around in another impressive performance with Allison ending with 14-1-66-3, Cox, 7-0-44-2, Neal 11.4-3-22-2, Hinley 4-0-21-2 and O’Connor 12-5-52-1.
