Sam Wood led the way with a rapid 84 as Nottinghamshire's Second XI beat Essex by 45 runs in a hastily arranged Twenty20 fixture at Billericay Cricket Club.

The 22-year-old all-rounder notched a half-century off 28 balls, with five fours and two sixes, and shared a second wicket stand of 122 with Anuj Dal as the visitors posted a daunting total of 203-5.

Essex collapsed to 54-4 early in their reply and never threatened the Outlaws' total, eventually finishing 45 runs short on 158-6.

Although a T20 match didn't feature on the original fixture schedule, the decision was made to arrange the match after Nottinghamshire wrapped-up victory in the three day fixture with a day to spare. 

Essex won the toss, invited the visitors to bat and took the wicket of Greg Smith, caught at midwicket for ten, in the second over. 

Wood batted at number three and - in partnership with Dal - raced through the gears to bring up the team's 50 in the sixth over and 100 in the tenth.

Dal's personal half-century came in 35 balls with four fours and a six before he was out for exactly 50, caught behind by Michael Bates off the bowling of Jonathan Steel.

Wood was next to go, caught in the outfield off the bowling of Adeel Malik, making the score 161-3 in the 16th over. And although Tom Moores (5) and Brett Hutton (10) were both dismissed by Jamie Porter late-on, Adam Tillcock guided Paul Franks' side beyond 200 with a brisk unbeaten 30.

The home side's reply got off to a shaky start as Brett Hutton took two wickets in two overs and Sam Wood, bowling his off-spin inside the powerplay overs, accounted for Jack Sterland making the score 46-3.

Wickets continued to tumble with the run out of Bates for a duck and the dismissal of Brent, caught at long-off on 19 to hand Wood a second wicket, all the while the experienced Mark Pettini was compiling a 28 ball half-century at the other end.

The Eagles' former captain was eventually sixth man out for 63, top-edging Tillcock in over 14 and - although the seventh wicket pair of Malik (36*) and Aaron Laraman (14*) finished the match with an unbeaten half-century stand - Essex's 158-6 left them someway short of competing for the victory target.

 

The excitement of the NatWest T20 Blast returns to Trent Bridge in May as Notts Outlaws hope to break the 10,000 barrier for the arrival of reigning champions Birmingham Bears on Friday 15 May.

Adult tickets are available at a special price of £10 and further discounts in place for under 16s (£5), under21s (£7) and senior citizens (£7) when buying in advance. Make Trent Bridge a firm fixture for your Friday nights and secure your seats now.