Worcestershire Under-17s came within 10 overs of earning a draw after contributions all down the order before finally losing by 96 runs to Gloucestershire Under-17s in the ECB County Championship match at Stourport.
The home side resumed on 99-2 after being set a 450 target and, with skipper Zain Ul-Hassan top-scoring with 72, batted deep into the final session until they were dismissed for 353 off 109 overs.
Worcestershire started day three with Dan Holland and Xavier Clarke – century makers in the opening two Championship games against Somerset and Hampshire respectively – at the crease.
But both departed on 33 with Holland offering a return catch to Hamdi Saleem and Clarke holing out in the covers off Will Naish.
With Naish also picking up the wicket of Alex Hinkley (3), the Under-17s were 155-5 at one stage but then Ul-Hassan and Pete Clark added 96 for the sixth wicket.
The stand was broken when Ul-Hassan, having struck seven fours in his 152 ball knock, became Naish’s third victim.
Clark departed five runs later for a determined 39 off 125 deliveries with two boundaries.
Further resistance was provided by Aaron Tomson and Henry Cullen before the latter on 36 was run out attempting a third run.
The game appeared to be heading to its conclusion at 307-9 but last man Matt Davis (17 not out) and Tomson had other ideas.
They added 46 before Tomson’s 93 ball 39 with six fours was brought to an end when he nicked Saleem through to the keeper.
The match produced three run-laced days in which Worcestershire had boldly declared 315 behind on first innings to try and ensure a meaningful last day of cricket and their efforts were rewarded.
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WORCESTERSHIRE UNDER-17S – SECOND INNINGS CONTINUED
(overnight 99-2)
Holland c and b Saleem 33
Clarke c Worgan b Naish 33
Ul-Hassan c Millard b Naish 72
Hinkley c Tryfanos b Naish 3
Clark b Millard 39
Tomson c Brewer b Saleem 39
Cullen run out (Ayres) 36
Bragg c Shafi b Russell 3
Davis not out 17
Extras 29
Total (all out) 353 in 109 overs
FOW CONTINUED: 119, 147, 155, 251, 256, 300, 309, 353
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BOWLING
Worgan 17-2-91-1
Goodman 5-3-6-0
Millard 15-4-36-1
Russell 29-5-79-2
Saleem 14-2-43-2
Shafi 11-5-27-0
Naish 15-4-40-3
Tryfonos 3-1-6-0
