Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire RLODC

Derbyshire 258-6 (27 overs) (Wood 109, Came 57, Patterson-White 3-41)

Nottinghamshire 217 (Hutton 46, Hudson-Prentice 3-37

Derbyshire won by 41 runs

On reflection - and it didn't take long - that was my most enjoyable Derbyshire watching of the summer.

A magnificent century by Tom Wood took us to a total that, if not insurmountable, was going to be a huge challenge. Not even a late assault by Brett Hutton threatened a Derbyshire win and the players can be proud tonight.

There will be a few glasses raised in Ticknall, for sure. I was thrilled when Tom hit the six to take him to his century and what especially impressed me - besides the power and range of his stroke play - was his selfless attitude. He could have been excused for pushing ones and twos to get near his ton, but he blazed away  and it was simply magnificent.

Square drives, cuts, upper cuts, powerful pulls and drives.. the innings had it all. The frustration, of course, is that it took the coaching staff so long to realise he could do this. He should have been in from the start of the T20, something that became patently obvious when the penny finally  dropped for them. There can be no accusations of him doing it against a lesser attack either, because it wasn't. Fletcher and Hutton are time served professionals, while Paterson is an international. They were all treated with disdain and while the jury is still out on Wood the four-day player, surely he will gain confidence from this and there should be an admission of earlier selection error?

My first sighting of Mitch Wagstaff was positive and he later held a blinding catch to reinforce that good batting impression. Harry Came also batted pleasingly and struck an excellent fifty of his own that set the tone for the innings. Later support came from Alex Hughes and Mattie McKiernan and the final total seemed scarcely believable.

The first over maiden of Hudson-Prentice set the tone and after that Nottinghamshire were always behind the rate. Economy was hard to find for most bowlers on a good track, but Fynn's three wickets and intelligent varying of pace again highlighted what will be missed in the future.

Alex Hughes captained the side intelligently and with coltish enthusiasm, holding three catches as the run rate climbed. For me, he should have been one-day skipper before now and is too good a cricket brain to fail to utilise. He switched bowlers and ends frequently, offered words of encouragement and had a sound brains trust with Rampaul and Guest.

It is a pleasure to be able to write something positive, but we must not get carried away. The four-day win at Trent Bridge last year hid inadequacies we have failed to address and the success today must not be allowed to do the same. It is, after all, our first List A win over these opponents since 2004, as the BBC Nottingham commentator doubtless slipped in a time or two... 

Nonetheless, Tom Wood's century, the second fastest all-format one In the club's history, will live long in the memory of those fortunate to see it. It certainly will in mine. 

There appears to be something to build on, if the right supporting cast and overseas personnel can be acquired this winter. And if we now make the right decisions with regards to current personnel to enable the club to move forward.

I am far from convinced that will happen, but let's enjoy tonight and address those concerns another day.