Derbyshire Falcons lost to Lancashire Lightning by 12 runs at Emirates Old Trafford after Liam Livingstone top-scored with 44 and Toby Lester claimed four wickets.
Livingstone got the hosts off to a flyer, but economical pace-off bowling in the middle and wickets at regular intervals helped Derbyshire restrict Lancashire to 157-8 from their 20 overs.
Wayne Madsen became Derbyshire’s all-time leading Twenty20 run-scorer in his innings of 34, but wickets at crucial times meant Derbyshire fell 13 runs short of their target.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Lancashire captain attacked the opening bowlers, replicating the form he showed at The 3aaa County Ground last week.
Eventually out for a blistering 44 from 21 balls, Livingstone left his side in a good position on 68-1 at the end of the powerplay.
It was at this point Derbyshire began to gain rewards from their slower bowlers, Alex Hughes removing Livingstone before he had Alex Davies caught by Rampaul for 31.
With the field spread and spin also proving tricky to get away, Matt McKiernan, making his Vitality Blast debut and Matt Critchley set about mounting a Derbyshire fightback.
The 24-year-old debutant finished his spell with economical figures of 0-27, whilst Critchley claimed two wickets for 15 from two overs.
First removing Jennings (24), Critchley then reacted instinctively and dove high to his left to catch Vilas (11) off his own bowling and leave two new batsman at the crease.
Jordan Clark (20 not out) played a cameo innings off 15 balls, but three batsmen fell without scoring, two to Wahab Riaz and one to Lockie Ferguson, and Lancashire closed on 157-8 after being 93-2 at the halfway stage.
Ben Slater (5) was out in the first over of the Derbyshire chase and although Wahab Riaz, promoted up the order to three, hit 16 from 11 balls, Derbyshire soon slipped to 30-2.
Madsen and Calum MacLeod (30) combined to put on a 51-run stand and accelerate the run rate to get Derbyshire back in contention.
But as with the first innings, pace off proved effective and MacLeod, Madsen and Gary Wilson (6) fell in the space of 15 runs as Lancashire regained control.
Daryn Smit and Critchley added a useful 45 in 5.1 overs, but requiring 18 runs to win off the final over, Lester returned to take two wickets and consign Derbyshire to a fourth Vitality Blast defeat.
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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