Derbyshire Falcons were beaten by seven wickets by Notts Outlaws at The 3aaa County Ground, with Outlaws seamer Harry Gurney taking career-best 4-20.
The visitors won the toss and put Derbyshire in to bat first. The Falcons set a target of 115 for the Outlaws to chase in their 20 overs, with Chesney Hughes hitting 26 and Jimmy Neesham 23.
The Outlaws made light work of their total, with opener Riki Wessels anchoring the innings to finish not out on 35 as the visitors got to their target in the 15th over to secure a seven-wicket win.
Hamish Rutherford (0) and Neil Broom (3) opened for the hosts, but the former was caught behind by Riki Wessels off the bowling of Andre Russell (2-34) and the latter was lbw to England hopeful Jake Ball for three.
Chesney Hughes was the top-scoring batsman for the Falcons, hitting 26 off 21 balls before being trapped lbw by man-of-the-match Gurney. After Hughes’ dismissal the hosts were 29-3.
Shiv Thakor and Wayne Madsen managed to score 15 apiece before Thakor was bowled by Steven Mullaney and Madsen was accounted for by the rapid Russell.
Neesham and Alex Hughes (12) managed to try and get the score board ticking in the right direction before Samit Patel (1-21) took the Captain’s wicket and New Zealander was caught by Greg Smith off the bowling of Ball (2-18).
Gurney would then cap his performance by taking three of the lower order for ten runs; Tom Poynton (6), Ben Cotton (4) and Andy Carter (0) out first ball. The Falcons were bowled out for 115 in the final over.
The hosts bowling attack had been on good form in recent matches and got off to a relatively good start when Wayne Madsen (1-10) got Michael Lumb lbw for 12.
Smith was then run out for twelve by skipper Hughes, before Ben Cotton (1-22) took the wicket of Russell who hit fifteen runs off eight balls, including two sixes.
But the experienced duo of Wessels and Dan Christian ensured their side got over the line with 5.3 overs to spare.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their NatWest T20 Blast matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
Northants Steelbacks – Sun 3 July – BUY
Yorkshire Vikings – Sun 10 July – BUY
Lancashire Lightning – Wed 13 July – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY