Seconds beat Notts in Trophy

Notts Second XI 279-9 (Naik 3-60) lost to Leics Second XI 308-4 (Allenby 96*, Cobb 68, du Toit 63) by 29 runs.

Leicestershire Second XI had an excellent 29-run against Notts at Nottingham High School on Monday.

Jim Allenby’s unbeaten 96 on comeback from injury was the main feature of County’s super total of 308-4, and there were also half-centuries for Josh Cobb (68) and Jacques du Toit (63).

Joel Pope (28), Rob Taylor (22* in fourteen balls) and Tom New (18) also made good contributions to the score.

Winning the toss and batting on an excellent pitch for run scoring, Leicestershire were 100-1 from 18 overs, with New caught by Andy Carter off Charlie Shreck, who, like Allenby, was returning from injury.

du Toit fell with the score on 130, but a partnership of 104 between Cobb ensured County were well away.

Allenby then added a further 74 runs with Pope and Taylor to get County up to a more-than-useful total.

In reply, Notts lost early wickets as Harry Gurney and triallist Alex Roberts both excelled.

Matthew Wood was run out for 10 before Bilal Shafayat (12) and Liam Andrews (7) were also dismissed.

At 35-3, Notts were on the back foot but former Yorkshire wicket-keeper Greg Wood (39) and Chris Cooke (25) steadied the innings before Kevon Cooper scored a quick 43 from 26 balls.

Scott Elstone was out in the last over for 74, helped by Shreck’s unbeaten 22, but County held their nerve.

Jigar Naik was the most successful bowler with 3-60, and left-arm seamer Gurney finished with excellent figures of 1-34 from 10.

Roberts claimed 2-58 off his allocation, while Claude Henderson (1-49) and Allenby (1-33) chipped in too.

The spinners took wickets at important times to stop the charge, with Henderson economical and Naik always a threat.

Coach Phil Whitticase was delighted with the performance. He said: “Notts had a strong side out and everyone applied themselves well. We had a gameplan and stuck to it, which was pleasing.

“Everyone contributed when they needed to and it was an excellent all-round performance. We can take plenty from the game.”