Rotterdam leapfrog Belfast into second with emphatic chase

Rotterdam Dockers moved into second place behind leaders Edinburgh Castle Rockers after producing a clinical run chase to beat Belfast Wolves by seven wickets, leaving the Wolves third in the table.

Belfast made 161 for six from their 20 overs after recovering from the early loss of Paul Stirling for 12.

Harry Manenti and Lorcan Tucker steadied the innings with a 53-run second-wicket partnership, Tucker going on to top-score with 58 from 42 balls, striking seven fours. Manenti made 24 before falling with the total on 66. 

David Miller then provided the late impetus with 40 from 26 deliveries, including two sixes, although Rotterdam kept taking wickets at useful stages. Anrich Nortje and Logan van Beek claimed two apiece, while David Wiese and Shubham Ranjane picked up one each. 

The Dockers lost Rassie van der Dussen early in reply, but Faf du Plessis and Michael Levitt quickly settled the chase with a 66-run second-wicket stand. Du Plessis made 31 from 26 balls before falling at 75, while Levitt followed for 44 with the score on 87.

At that stage Belfast still had a chance, but Heinrich Klaasen and Ranjane shut the door emphatically. The pair shared an unbroken 75-run fourth-wicket partnership, Klaasen blasting 47 not out from just 26 deliveries with three sixes, while Ranjane struck an unbeaten 29 from 16. 

Rotterdam eased home, sealing a convincing victory with two overs to spare. The result lifts the Dockers into second place behind Edinburgh, while Belfast slip to third but remain firmly involved in the battle near the top of the table.