Notts Outlaws slumped to only their second defeat in fifteen t20 matches against their local rivals as they lost by 16-runs to Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge.
In a rain-shortened match Michael Lumb scored the first 43 runs of Notts quest to chase down 109 but his departure saw the home side fall behind the rate before eventually closing on 92 for seven.
Earlier, put in by David Hussey, Derbyshire had scored 108 for one, with Wes Durston scoring an unbeaten 50.
After violent thunderstorms reduced the contest to just 9-overs per side Hussey won an important toss.
With a side showing just one change from Sunday’s win over Yorkshire – Jake Ball in for Ajmal Shahzad – the Outlaws took to the field knowing that success would earn them a place in the last eight for the fourth year in a row.
Chesney Hughes wasted no time in playing himself in as he punched Harry Gurney’s first delivery over extra cover for four in an opening over that cost eleven runs.
Durston, who scored a t20 century at Trent Bridge in 2010, got his innings up and running with back-to-back fours in the third over, bowled by Ian Butler.
The left-handed Hughes then brutally clubbed Samit Patel into the New Stand for two maximums in the fourth over, which ended with 45 on the board.
Durston pulled Graeme White to the fence to bring up the fifty at the midpoint of the innings and then punched him straight for another sublime four.
The side in the harlequin shirts couldn’t have wished for a more turbo-charged start and skipper Hussey was unable to wrest back the initiative as he became the sixth different bowler used. Durston’s first six landed high in the Larwood & Voce Stand in an over that went for twenty runs.
Passing 79, the pair broke their county’s record for the opening wicket against Notts. The penultimate over began with another Durston six off Butler but then Notts gained their only wicket as Hughes (46) top-edged to Ball at short fine leg.
Chasing 109 from 54 balls Michael Lumb had an early life as his pull off Tim Groenewald appeared to go through the fingers of Billy Godleman on the leg boundary for four.
Alex Hales (0), on the day he had been signed up by Adelaide Strikers for this winter’s Big Bash, failed to celebrate his good news in style as his off pole was knocked flat first ball by the same bowler.
Lumb hit Mark Turner for 6-4-4-4-0-3 during the second over, to revive Notts hopes but then Patel (0) also fell to Groenewald.
Two more Lumb maximums brought the third over to a close on 43-2 – with all the runs to the left-hander.
The England t20 opener looked in imperious form and it took an amazing diving catch from Turner, off the bowling of Peter Burgoyne to bring his innings to a close on 43 from 15 balls.
The fifty came up in 4.1 – two balls quicker than their opponents – but then Hussey (10) went, caught in the deep off Dan Redfern. Notts hoped that it would be a no-ball for above waist-height but it wasn’t given, nor when Butler hit the same bowler for a maximum in his next over.
James Taylor had fallen for 11 – off Burgoyne and then Butler holed out for the same score, off Alex Hughes.
With 32 needed off 10 balls Steven Mullaney (2) was stumped and although Chris Read cleared the ropes in the final over Notts were well short by the close of their innings.
Two home matches remain – against Yorkshire on Friday and then against Lancashire on Sunday – and Notts will need to win both to ensure they finish as leaders of the North Group and guarantee a home quarter final.
Click here to purchase tickets for Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge.
Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge
Friday 26 July Vs Yorkshire Vikings - 6pm TICKETS
Sunday 28 July Vs Lancashire Lightning - 2.40pm TICKETS
Buy In Advance & Save:
Adult tickets £13 / Under 16s and Over 65s £7 / Family ticket (2+2) £33
On the day prices:
Adult tickets £16 / Under 16s / Over 65s £16 / Family ticket (2+2) £40
Enjoy Friends Life t20 hospitality at Trent Bridge for £84 per person
Your package will include:
- Use of a private suite in the Radcliffe Road Stand with a balcony overlooking the field of play
- Nibbles served on arrival
- Hot main dish served in your suite 30 minutes before the start of play
- Cheese, biscuits and chutney during the interval
- Match scorecard
- Box host
- Car Parking 1:4
Steak, chips and cricket: click here to enjoy informal hospitality for just £25
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