Worcestershire Academy dramatically preserved their five-year unbeaten record against Wales with their final pair.
In a nail-biting conclusion to their ECB County Championship Group Two match, Charlie Egerton and Joshua Leach stood firm in the final 5.4 overs at Panteg, helping the under-18s to a draw and maintain their outstanding record.
The duo’s resilience saw the Academy reach 285-9, after a lofty target of 442 was set.
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The Welsh side’s emphasis on spin saw them bowl a whopping 113 overs on the final day.
Fin Goodman and Henry Hawes valiantly stood against them, each scoring determined half-centuries that contributed significantly to the final score.
Goodman batted more than three hours for his 61, while Hawes added 53.
This impressive performance from the Pears sees them remain unbeaten in County Championship cricket since 2019, their last loss being to Hampshire.
Early on, openers Toby Cox (24) and Louis Hursthouse (44) scored 63, but half of Worcestershire’s side was dismissed at 146, turning the tide in Wales’ favour.
However, Goodman and Hawes altered the course of the game with a game changing 53-run partnership.
Goodman struck four boundaries in his 181-ball spell before being seventh out at 238.
Hawes then departed with the total at 271 after making eight fours in his 126-ball innings.
Worcestershire captain Ben Clarke followed 10 runs later, however Egerton and Leach kept the Welsh at bay.
The academy received a total of 10 points from the match – one for batting, four for bowling, and five for the draw.
Earlier in the match, Wales batted first and scored 402 with Zac Williams hitting an outstanding 169 off 230 balls.
Despite reaching 355-5, they lost their last five wickets for 47 runs to the combined bowling efforts of Leach (23-3-62-3) and Daniel Lategan (11-0-45-3).
On the second day, Worcestershire were down for 150 in 54.2 overs.
Alfie Higgins, who scored a century against Northamptonshire last week, led the Pears’ scoring with 30, alongside Seth Essenhigh (29).
Lategan (25) also contributed but Wales, despite leading by 252, chose not to enforce the follow-on.
The day ended with Iwan Jones hitting an unbeaten 102 in a total of 189-9 declared from 57.2 overs before the dramatic final day.
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