Durham boys under 16s fell 17 runs short in their final ECB County Cup group stage clash against Derbyshire at Spondon Cricket Club.
Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat as the home side got off to a strong start with 47 for the opening wicket before Hassnain Akhtar was caught and bowled to a good low catch from Finlay Barlow for 20.
Derbyshire opener Sam Cliffe led the way for the hosts with 74 and looked well set for a century but he was run out by Dom Ward for 74; Cliffe and Freddie Clarke played their part in a second wicket partnership of 80 which was broken by Crook seamer Ward.
Clarke departed just shy of his half-century caught at cover by Luke Symington as Dom Ward struck again. Ward was the pick of the Durham bowlers (3/49) as the Durham bowling attack continued to put pressure on Derbyshire.
Zak Kelly top scored for Derbyshire with 84 off 81 as the home side closed their 50 overs on 269/7. Finlay Barlow and Faizan Ghumman both claimed one apiece for Durham.
In reply, Durham lost two early wickets and were reduced to 2/28 inside 6 overs, but Luke Symington and Faizan Ghumman shared a third wicket stand of 163 as the Durham batters led their recovery.
The Durham pair batted with flair as they looked to get the visitors on their way, but Symington was the first to go as he feathered one behind to Leighton-James Grimbaldeston for 72 which included 11 fours.
Ghumman looked well set for a century but fell just 10 runs short when he was bowled trying to pull Oscar Edwards for 90 from 127 balls. Edwards picking up 4/34.
Will Alexander was the new batter – scoring 31 from 41 balls; however, once he departed, Durham lost frequent wickets and were bowled out for 252 in the penultimate over.
It is now a waiting game to see if Durham will qualify for the national quarter finals with Cheshire having two games in hand and Derbyshire one.