Wayne Madsen hit an unbeaten 86 off 44, but the Falcons finished just six runs short in their chase of a record 228 against Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
Riki Wessels hit 110 off 54 balls and Brendan Taylor added an unbeaten 67 as the hosts posted a daunting 227-3 from their 20 overs.
Madsen was the pick of the Derbyshire bowlers and then came agonisingly close to powering the Falcons to victory, a campaign-best of 86 not out led his side to 222-5, just six runs short of what would have been a Club-record NatWest T20 Blast chase.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Madsen (2-32) continued his fine form with the ball, picking up the wicket of Alex Hales (4) in the first over. The England opener struck a four over point before looking to clear the ropes down the ground, only to pick out Alex Hughes who took a good catch.
The good start continued with solid overs from Matt Henry and Hardus Viljoen before Madsen’s off breaks struck again, this time the dangerous Samit Patel bowled for one and the Outlaws 19-2.
Wessels batted aggressively despite the loss of early wickets and formed what turned out to be a match-winning third wicket partnership with Brendan Taylor as the Outlaws powered past 150.
After taking a huge swing at a wide delivery and edging just over the head of Gary Wilson at first slip early on, the Notts opener struck boundaries with ease and seemed in full control of the innings as he attacked seam and spin with the same powerfully timed shots.
Godleman dropped Wessels on the ropes in the ninth over with the opener on 55 and it proved to be a costly mistake as he doubled his score in quick-time before he was caught by Wilson off Alex Hughes.
Dan Christian joined Taylor and the Outlaws onslaught continued, the pair adding an unbeaten 55 for the fourth wicket. The Falcons bowlers tried variations in pace and line, but on a good wicket, the Outlaws raced to 227-3 from their 20 overs.
Requiring over 11 runs per over, Godleman and Matt Critchley got the visitors off to a flyer, both hitting fours and sixes in the opening overs.
Critchley hit England fast bowler Jake Ball for two fours followed by a six over cover but once he was out in the next over, caught by Ball off Harry Gurney, the Outlaws looked to regain control.
Godleman hit a well-made 43 off 19, before he was bowled by Ball, bringing the in-form Madsen to the crease.
He set about rebuilding yet still scoring quickly alongside Luis Reece, who batted nicely for his 27 until he was out with the score 135-3 and the game finely balanced.
Playing shots all round the wicket, including two ramp shots for four over the wicketkeeper’s head, Madsen continued his excellent form with the bat and brought up his half-century with a sweep over the mid-wicket boundary for six.
His fifty came off 29 balls with six fours and three sixes and with Derbyshire in a good position, he was nicely set to kick on in search of the record chase.
Wilson made a brisk 21 from 13, including two sixes, but when he was caught by Wessels off Gurney with the score 188-4 and Derbyshire needing 40 off 3.1 overs, the chase finally looked out of the Falcons’ reach.
But when Hughes (13) crashed a six over point and Henry hit a six off his first ball after Hughes was out, the chase was back on with Derbyshire needing eight off the final two deliveries.
First Henry (7 not out), then Madsen looked for the ropes but both could only manage singles, Derbyshire finishing 222-5 from their 20 overs, six short of a record chase. Madsen was unbeaten on 86 at the end, taking his 2017 NatWest T20 Blast average to 91.67 with three half-centuries.
The Falcons sit fifth in the NatWest T20 Blast North Group and travel to Birmingham Bears on Sunday 23 July, before begining a run of three matches at The 3aaa County Ground starting with the visit of Lancashire Lightning on Tuesday 25 July; 7pm start.
NatWest T20 Blast is back this July and August. Save £4 by purchasing your matchday tickets in advance. While further discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Buy online today to secure your place and save.
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