Notts Outlaws continued their perfect start to the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition with a seventh straight win against the Netherlands at Truro.
After restricting their Dutch hosts to a total of 188 for seven the Outlaws reached their target with four wickets and seven balls in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 90 from James Taylor.
Taylor, who faced 199 balls and hit 9 fours, was a clear man of the match but played down his own contribution.
“I’m just delighted to get us over the line and make it seven wins out of seven," he said.
“Even though it went down to the last couple of overs we were never really in danger.” James Taylor
"It was a tough wicket to bat on and the guys bowled really well to restrict them and I’m just glad we managed to knock off the winning runs.
“Even though it went down to the last couple of overs we were never really in danger.”
Taylor’s task was made a little easier after Steven Mullaney eased the pressure with a quick-fire 26.
“He played a perfect knock in that situation really and that was just what was needed,” said Taylor. “I needed to stay there and see it through and he played the cameo we needed.”
Netherlands captain Peter Borren won the toss and had little hesitation in opting to bat first but his plans were quickly de-railed by an explosive opening burst from Ajmal Shahzad.
His first delivery at the start of the seventh over had umpire Peter Willey raising the finger to send Stephan Myburgh (5) on his way, through an lbw decision.
The over had ended as a wicket maiden and Shahzad repeated the dose as Michael Swart (1) played on.
Needing to rebuild, only 31-2 was on the board at the end of the initial eight overs powerplay. Tom Cooper tried to increase the momentum as he brought up the team fifty with a straight six to the short boundary off Samit Patel.
Sam Wood had been a late inclusion, with Jake Ball feeling a stiff back and the young off spinner claimed the third wicket, as Wes Barresi (20) hit to Steven Mullaney.
A handful of travelling Nottinghamshire supporters were bolstered by several more who had retired to the south west and enjoyed the rare opportunity to see their county in action.
Marquees, vendors and amenities ringed the ground, either side of the two-storey clubhouse.
James Gruijters (25) played a deft ramp shot to bring the 100 up but then played on to Mullaney.
The innings was in danger of subsiding completely as Luke Fletcher bowled Cooper for 49 and then Mullaney saw Eric Swarzynski (14) in quick succession.
Dom Michael (34 not out) and Peter Borren (28) added 57 as the batting powerplay saw a frenetic search for late runs, ended with Shahzad taking careful aim to run out Borren off his own bowling.
In gloriously hot conditions Notts set off in pursuit of 189 for victory and were immediately rocked. Alex Hales (0) drove his third ball straight to mid off where Borren took a sharp catch.
The bowler, Quirijn Gunning, was on debut after impressing as a net bowler as South Africa practiced in the Netherlands recently.
Taylor and Michael Lumb threatened to make the contest a one-sided affair during a punishing 15-over stand in which 83 were added.
Lumb (35) and Samit Patel (8) both then fell to Cooper’s off spin. Ed Cowan (18) was gifted four overthrows as a farewell present on his final appearance for the Outlaws and skipper Read also went for just 8.
Despite the majesty of Taylor’s high-quality innings, he now needed to ensure that the victory target was achieved. His task was made much easier by the arrival of Steven Mullaney, who plundered two huge sixes in a timely 16-ball cameo.
When Mullaney went, run out backing up, only three runs were needed and Taylor straight drove the winning boundary from the next delivery.