Belfast Wolves held their nerve when it mattered most as David Miller produced a decisive late burst to seal a five-wicket victory over Amsterdam Flames in Match 20 of the ETPL at Malahide.
Chasing 142 for victory, Belfast were made to work all the way into the closing stages before South African Miller found another gear, smashing an unbeaten 42 from just 26 balls to guide the Wolves over the line with an over to spare. The result got the Belfast side back on track after Wednesday’s defeat to Dublin Guardians at the same venue.
Miller struck four sixes in a composed finish, with Chris Jordan hitting the winning boundary as Belfast reached 144 for five in 19 overs.
Amsterdam had made a flying start after being asked to bat first, with Bas de Leede setting the tone by hammering 39 from just 20 balls. The Dutchman found the boundary five times and cleared it twice as the Flames raced out of the blocks, while Ireland’s Curtis Campher added 22 from 13 balls.
Tim David continued the assault with a brisk 17 from 10, while captain Scott Edwards made a measured 20 from 18 as Amsterdam looked capable of posting a formidable total. But Belfast kept striking at key moments and prevented the Flames from turning their promising start into a match-winning score.
Mark Adair was the pick of the Wolves attack, finishing with three for 25 from his four overs, while Saurabh Netravalkar, Fred Klaassen and Matthew Humphreys claimed two wickets apiece.
However, Amsterdam’s tail failed to wag as they lost their final seven wickets for just 64 runs and were bowled out for 141 in the final over, leaving Belfast a target of 142 to win.
The Ulstermen started their chase positively through Ireland captain Paul Stirling, who raced to 26 from 16 balls before his dismissal with the scoreboard on 35 gave Amsterdam renewed hope.
Lorcan Tucker and Harry Manenti steadied the innings, although Tucker departed for 16 from 12 with Belfast on 66. Manenti then provided the backbone of the chase, making 33 from 34 balls, but his dismissal for 100 left the contest finely poised.
Mark Chapman added 14 from 14 before falling with the score on 85, and when Manenti followed, Belfast still required 42 from 33 deliveries. Skipper Glenn ‘The Big Show’ Maxwell came and went for six, leaving the Wolves at 127 for five after 18 overs.
With 15 needed from the final two overs, Amsterdam were still in the contest but then Miller took charge.
Having played the supporting role for much of the chase, the South African unleashed a late assault, clearing the ropes twice to swing the momentum decisively Belfast’s way and finishing unbeaten on 42 from 26 balls.
It was left to Jordan to supply the finishing touch with a final four that took Belfast to 144 for five and completed the victory with six balls remaining.
The result strengthens Belfast’s position near the top of the ETPL standings, moving them on to nine points in second place, two behind leaders Edinburgh Castle Rockers with three matches still to play.
A top-three finish remains the immediate objective, but Belfast will have one eye on top spot and direct qualification for the ETPL final.
Amsterdam, meanwhile, remain firmly in the hunt. The Flames sit fourth on seven points, just two behind Belfast and Rotterdam, meaning the battle for the top three remains wide open.
With the league table so tightly packed, both sides have plenty still to play for as the Malahide leg reaches crunch time over the next week.