Outlaws vs Falcons under Trent Bridge’s Friday night lights.
It’s a combination of factors that seems to create a particular alchemy for those in green and gold.
Of the ten completed T20 clashes between Notts and Derbyshire on Friday nights in West Bridgford, the hosts have claimed the spoils on eight occasions.
Indeed, after a two-match winning streak for the Falcons in 2004 and 2005, it has been one-way traffic ever since.
And stars of Trent Bridge past and present have played crucial roles in securing bragging rights for the Outlaws faithful.
As Notts prepare to host Derbyshire once more, we take a look at a handful of notable clashes from seasons gone by.
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26 June 2009 – Outlaws win by eight wickets
If Ali Brown had been born 20 years later, he would have been right at home in the era of the globetrotting T20 superstar.
With an inimitable confidence as he marched to the middle, and an appetite for destruction once he reached the crease, Brown was in many ways the archetypal white-ball powerhouse.
At 39 years of age, Brown had made himself at home in an Outlaws side packed with personality – with Paul Franks, David Hussey and a certain Luke Fletcher among his teammates.
And on this occasion, he was very much the star of the show.
Opening the batting alongside present-day Notts Elite Pathway Manager Matt Wood, Brown blasted 65 runs from 42 deliveries as Notts swept their opponents aside with eight wickets in hand and 20 balls to spare.
11 June 2010 – Outlaws win by five wickets
This was an evening which proved that the Outlaws should never be written off too soon.
As Derbyshire’s Wes Durston swept to his sole T20 century – from 51 balls, no less – the visitors seemed to be taking control of the contest.
But Notts made light work of their chase of 193.
Where Durston led, Alex Hales followed – the Outlaws opener’s 69 runs coming at the frankly mind-boggling strike-rate of 276, as he and Ali Brown put on a century stand for the first wicket.
From then on, it was plain sailing, the hosts getting over the line inside 17 overs.
21 July 2017 – Outlaws win by 5 runs
Long renowned for their big-hitting approach to domestic cricket’s shortest format, it took 14 years of T20 cricket for an Outlaw to register a three-figure score in the competition.
When it came, it proved more than worth the wait.
Riki Wessels’ 110 from 54 balls was simply stunning, the opener finding the fence no fewer than 18 times as part of a third-wicket stand of 153 with Brendan Taylor.
The Outlaws went on to make 227/3 – their highest ever score in the twenty-over format.
And while the run-chase certainly wasn’t free of drama, as Wayne Madsen’s 86 led the Falcons to within touching distance of victory, Notts squeezed home by five runs.
26 May 2023 – Outlaws win by four wickets
A little over 12 months ago, it was a pair of present-day Outlaws who proved pivotal as Notts began their campaign with victory on home soil.
Chasing 179 to win, the hosts were out of the blocks swiftly, passing 50 inside four overs and reaching 78 by the end of the powerplay.
Now the Outlaws’ T20 skipper, Joe Clarke was the instigator of Notts’ successful pursuit, hitting 68 from 29 deliveries.
With the back of the chase comprehensively broken, it was down to Matthew Montgomery to marshal his side towards the finishing line with a composed 51 from 29 balls.
When he departed, Notts needed just three more runs – and victory was sealed with three overs remaining.