Smith struck 50 for the hosts
Ryder's 47 put Essex in contention
Patel took 4-20 to send Notts through
Notts reach Finals Day on 20 August
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Image source, Rex FeaturesNottinghamshire captain Dan Christian is going to be absolutely key for his side as they enter the final five overs.
The big Aussie crunches David Masters through mid-wicket for four and follows it up with a bullet down the ground and into the boundary boards.
Christian is only 20 off 17 balls but beginning to look dangerous.
Notts 110-3 v Essex (13.4 overs)
Greg Smith reaches a fine 50 from 32 balls by crunching Ravi Bopara through the off-side for four.
But he's out next ball dragging on a quicker one onto his stumps.
Not the best timing to get out with six and a bit overs to go.
Image source, Getty ImagesRyan ten Doeschate bowls another super over, mixing up pace with slower balls. The Essex all-rounder concedes just four off it, including two leg byes, and has gone for four off his two overs.
Notts are still in a great position though and the bumper Trent Bridge crowd are enjoying themselves in the sunshine.
Image source, Rex FeaturesGreg Smith has said enough is enough and is now flaying the bat.
He clubs poor Paul Walter for a couple of leg-side boundaries and then nicks one down to third man to move to 45 off 26 balls.
Look away now Essex fans - Walter has gone for 43 off three overs.
That's better for Notts. Much better. Greg Smith, who's up to 30 sweeps Ravi Bopara for four, courtesy of a misfield by Graham Napier.
Dan Christian then cracks one off the middle of the bat through cover and the ball rockets to the boundary.
11 off the over.
After the carnage of the Powerplay, Essex will be absolutely overjoyed with how things are looking at the halfway stage.
Graham Napier's second over goes for four meaning 17 have come off the last four with no boundaries.
Impressive from the Eagles.
Essex are clawing their way back into this match very nicely.
It's a third over in a row without a boundary as Ryan ten Doeschate's first goes for just two - including the big wicket of Riki Wessels.
Still plenty of big strikers to come though for the Outlaws.
Notts 69-2 v Essex (8.1 overs)
Wow, that is some catch from David Masters. Ryan ten Doeschate comes on to bowl and Riki Wessels goes for a massive swipe but can only send the ball miles, and I mean miles, into the air.
Masters steadies himself and cool as a cucumber snaffles it comfortably.
Wessels looks livid, he'd given himself a great start but didn't go on. Notts captain Dan Christian is the new man in.
Another good over for Essex, this time from the spinner Ashar Zaidi.
Riki Wessels tries a couple of exuberant reverse sweeps but can't find the gaps.
No boundaries, better from the Eagles.
Image source, Rex FeaturesSkipper Ravi Bopara bowls the near perfect over for Essex, offering no width and restricting the hosts to just seven off it.
Other bowlers take note. Width = get smashed.
After the jubilation of picking up a wicket with his second ball, Paul Walter's second over is a bit of a reality check as Riki Wessels begins to motor.
The opener smashes him for three fours in a row and 16 come off the final over of the Powerplay. Wessels is up to 30.
Good first six overs for the hosts.
When you've just been blasted for 15, what better man to come on than Graham Napier?
With all the experience in the world, the all-rounder mixes up his pace and goes for just four off his first.
One over to go in the Powerplay.
Notts 38-1 v Essex (4 overs)
That's the over Notts wanted. Riki Wessels pulls David Masters away to the boundary before bludgeoning him through point.
Greg Smith then finishes it off by sweeping him high and handsome over fine leg for six.
15 came from it.
Image source, Getty ImagesEvery ball covered
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BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle is in place. Not a bad job is it?!
Greg Smith, in at three for Notts, opens his account with a stunning straight drive down the ground.
He follows it up with a flick to the boundary.
12 off Paul Walter's first over, but the big wicket of Michael Lumb.
Notts 15-1 v Essex (2.2 overs)
What a start for Essex youngster Paul Walter! In the biggest game of his life so far the 22-year-old paceman is clubbed down the ground by Michael Lumb first ball.
But he gets his revenge on the very next as Lumb nicks him to Jesse Ryder at slip who holds a good catch above his head.
Big, big wicket for the visitors.
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid Masters, at the grand old age of 38, does what David Masters has been doing for near on two decades.
Not a lot of pace, keeps things tight and just four singles come off the over. Super stuff from the big seamer.
It's a fairly sedate start as Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels knock a couple of singles down the ground before Lumb goes for a big swipe and nicks Dan Lawrence down to the third man boundary.
Good first over from the Essex teenager though.
Notts v Essex (18:30 BST)
Nottinghamshire openers Riki Wessels and Michael Lumb make their way to the middle.
And what's this?! Part-time spinner Dan Lawrence to bowl the first over. Could be interesting!
The pitch looks as flat as your hat.