Nottinghamshire’s Academy got the best of a winning draw against league leaders Cuckney on Saturday.

On a glorious day, the Academy batted first posting 307-4, Cuckney only able to reach 240-5 in reply.

Back at the start of the day, the Academy backed up their decision to bat first, openers Hassan Azad and Tom New getting off to a flier.

After just 32 overs, the pair had added 168 before the former was bowled for 77.

A wobble ensued, losing three more wickets before reaching 190, one of those being top scorer New for 78.

That was the last of the wickets to fall though, Dan Freeman and Anuj Dal sharing in an unbeaten 117 run partnership, guiding the away side past 300.

Freeman ended on 71 off just 49 balls whilst Dal played second fiddle with 37, the final score reaching 307-4.

Adam Burgess and Luke Thomas opened Cuckney’s reply but unlike the Academy they did lose an early wicket.

In the ninth over, it was Burgess to fall for just 10 as Ben Kitt bowled the opener with the score on 38.

Thomas (59) survived until the 28th over before he was stumped off a leg-side wide from Connor Marshall.

And by the 31st over the home side were 138-4 with Adam Tillcock in action with the wickets of Nick Langford and Daniel Wood.

Skipper Paul Franks employed pace-off with his spinners to good effect and Cuckney had now realised they were looking at saving the game.

They reached a final total of 240 for 5 in their 50 overs, settling for the losing draw, Tillcock finishing with 3-77 off 15 overs and the Academy gaining 16 points.