Durham triumphed over Derbyshire Falcons by eight wickets in a Vitality Blast match at Derby, thanks to unbeaten half-centuries from Alex Lees and Colin Ackermann.
Lees scored 72 off 60 balls, while Ackermann contributed 54 from 30. Their unbroken partnership of 88 runs led Durham to 159 for 2, securing the final quarter-final spot in the North Group.
The foundation for Durham’s victory was laid by excellent bowling performances from Nathan Sowter, Ben Raine, and Callum Parkinson, who each claimed two wickets, limiting the Falcons to 155 for 8.
Despite several Derbyshire players getting starts on a slow pitch, none could convert their innings into significant scores. Wayne Madsen and Alex Thomson were the top scorers with 22 each.
Derbyshire's effort to defend their modest total was commendable, but Lees and Ackermann used their experience to guide Durham into the knockout stages.
The Falcons had a strong start, reaching 64 in the power play, despite Paul Coughlin conceding 33 runs in his two overs. However, their aggressive approach cost them three wickets early on.
Luis Reece was bowled by Parkinson in the first over, stepping across his stumps. David Lloyd cut Coughlin for a four and a six, while Aneurin Donald drove Parkinson over the long-off boundary before top-edging a sweep to backward square.
Coughlin had Lloyd caught behind for 20 after being cut for a six by Madsen, who had previously scored a century against Durham in the Blast two years ago. Madsen's dismissal came as he mistimed a drive off Sowter and was caught at long off.
Coughlin struck again, having Brooke Guest caught behind, and nearly got Ross Whiteley next ball, but Ashton Turner dropped the catch at slip. Samit Patel hit Matthew Potts for a six over third man, but Sowter soon trapped him lbw for 20.
Raine then had Whiteley edging a drive, making it 110 for 7. Thomson pulled Coughlin for a six, and Mohammad Amir smashed Parkinson into the media centre before Raine bowled Amir. Potts and Raine conceded only 15 runs in the last three overs, setting Durham a target of 156.
Lees hit Daryn Dupavillon for two fours, while Amir bowled economically, conceding only five runs in his first two overs. He also took a sharp catch at short third off Pat Brown to dismiss Graham Clark.
Lees continued to find the boundary, pulling and driving Amir for two fours, taking Durham to 45 for 1 at the end of the power play. David Bedingham hit a six off Thomson but was caught next ball, leaving Durham at 75 for 2 after 10 overs, needing 81 more runs.
Ackermann eased the pressure with two sixes over midwicket off Thomson in the 13th over and added another off Reece in the 15th. Although Patel bowled a tight final over, Lees and Ackermann played sensibly, steering Durham to victory with seven balls to spare.