The Academy lost their Champion of Champions match against the South Notts Champions Radcliffe on Trent by 32 runs at Eastwood on Saturday.
Radcliffe won the toss and batted and the Academy attack were unable to make an early breakthrough as Richard Brooks and Mick Bratt put on 86 for the first wicket before Bobby Gamble bowled Bratt for 22. Rob Sutton then joined Brooks and took the score to 161 before Adam Shepherd bowled Brooks for 92.
With Rob Sutton out for 72 thanks to a superb diving catch from keeper Adeel Shafique for 72 with the score on 217, a depleted Notts attack minus Akhil Patel, on first team duty snd lacking Will Jones who had to leave the field with a suspected broken thumb, fought back well to restrict Radcliffe to 261-8 from their 45 overs.
Gamble, Shepherd and Ben McGuire finished with 2 wickets apiece aided by two smart run outs. Notts were facing their biggest run chase of the season got off to a poor start losing Sam Wood for 5 with the score on 17. Adam Tilcock responded with his highest score of the season, sharing a second wicket stand of 61 with skipper Sam Kelsall before being bowled for 34.
Ben McGuire then gave the crowd a mini feast of hitting to enjoy hitting four maximums in his 32 before being caught trying a reverse sweep. Sam Kelsall, who had been steadily accumulating runs in his normal stylish manner, was then out for 51 with the score on 129.
Adam Shepherd took up the challenge scoring 36 before he to was out with the score on 179 which became 180-7 as Jake Ball was run out without facing a delivery. Dominic Harvey and Brett Hutton gave the Academy some late hope with a stand of 46 but then on 226 Harvey was run out for an attacking 36 including two sixes. The end came when Hutton was caught for 18 with the score on 229, Will Jones being unable to bat.