A dramatic final over saw Nottinghamshire tie with Leicestershire in the final fixture of the ECB U18 County Cup at Thoresby Colliery Cricket Club.

The sides were deadlocked after Leicestershire centurion Kieran Pell scored 11 of the 12 required for victory off Sam Seecharan's final over before being run out with one delivery remaining.

The result meant Notts sealed second place over Leicestershire in Group 3 by virtue of a better head-to-head record.

Sam Watson completed the crucial run out which saw Leicestershire bowled out for 266, a chase in which Farhan Ahmed (4-51) and Freddie McCann (3-32) starred with the ball after fifties from Travis Holland, Qundeel Haider and McCann helped the Green and Golds set the imposing target.

Leicestershire appeared vindicated in their decision to bowl first after early wickets reduced Notts to 12-2. However, a partnership worth 65 between Bunbury Festival duo Seecharan and Holland hoisted Notts towards three figures. 

The middle order unit applied the pressure through as the overs wore on, Holland the first to bring up his half-century, before a 93-run stand between Haider and McCann, and a contribution worth 33 shared between the final four batsmen at a run-a-ball saw Notts to their final total, George Park with an invaluable 18 from 17 deliveries. 

Despite amassing 68 for the first wicket, the hosts fell to 99 for five in reply and looked in some peril. 

However, a 50 from number seven Finn Haynes reignited hopes of a fightbacks for the hosts. When he departed with 55 still required, it was left to captain Pell to see his side towards the target with the support of the tail, albeit little help was provided by Myne Rana who fell first ball.

Through the ensuing eight overs, Fell’s partners staved off 12 balls as he farmed the strike, but the loss of Ravi Yarwood-Paintal and Zac Abbas in the 46th over, with 38 still required, looked to have swung the game Notts’ way. 

A flurry of boundaries wrestled back momentum for Leicestershire as Fell passed his hundred, though, and, with 17 required from the final eight deliveries, he blasted two fours and a six to take his side within touching distance. 

However, Watson’s run out ensured the spoils were shared amidst a terrific advert for the game, bringing an end to the U18’s competetive season, with two T20 friendlies against Worcestershire on Sunday to complete the summer fixture programme. 

You can view the scorecard from the fixture here...