Image source, Getty Images

Well, the T20 Blast always brings thrills, spills and drama - and this Friday night was no exception.

Arguably the most excitement came at Trent Bridge where Birmingham Bears recovered from slumping to 7-4 in their first over to beat Notts with five balls to spare.

Middlesex might have been long out of contention to progress but they pulled off another memorable run chase to beat Essex.

That loss for Essex, plus Kent's defeat by Sussex, has really left the South Group wide open, while the North Group remains intriguingly poised too.

Join us again over the weekend, when we'll have live commentary from the final nine fixtures to find out which teams will join the Bears and Somerset in the quarter-finals.

Saturday, 1 July

South Group:

• Sussex v Gloucestershire - Hove

Sunday, 2 July

North Group:

• Derbyshire Falcons v Worcestershire Rapids - Incora County Ground
• Lancashire Lightning v Northamptonshire Steelbacks - Emirates Old Trafford
• Notts Outlaws v Leicestershire Foxes - Trent Bridge
• Birmingham Bears v Durham - Edgbaston

South Group:

• Glamorgan v Middlesex - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
• Hampshire Hawks v Gloucestershire - Ageas Bowl, Southampton
• Surrey v Essex - The Kia Oval
• Somerset v Kent Spitfires (18:30) - Taunton

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a similar scenario in the South Group where Somerset are guaranteed to finish top after tonight's win at Surrey.

Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and Middlesex are definitely eliminated but any three of five teams - those sitting from second to sixth - could take the remaining qualification spots.

Second-placed Surrey have a vastly superior run rate to their rivals, making them favourites for one of those berths.

Image source, BBC Sport

Birmingham Bears' dramatic win at Trent Bridge, as well as results elsewhere, has secured them top spot in the North Group and a home quarter-final.

Durham's tied match with Worcestershire means they can no longer qualify, but the three remaining spots are up for grabs.

Sunday's big game is at Derby - the winner between Derbyshire and Worcestershire will definitely be through.

Right, time for a deep breath before we see what tonight's results have meant and where it leaves the teams ahead of the weekend's final round of fixtures...

Only time for three balls of the final over before rain returns, but James Fuller ensured the result was beyond doubt anyway.

What a bonus for Hampshire!

The forecast was terrible and only 9.2 overs of the first innings were possible.

But the rain relented, the groundstaff did all they could and there was just enough time to get enough of a chase in.

Victory should put Hampshire into the quarter-finals, barring a final-day calamity.

Defeat at home to Gloucestershire on Sunday and a dramatic net-run rate swing could still knock Hampshire out.

But if they can beat the Glosters and Surrey lose to Essex, the defending champions will also earn a home tie.

Glamorgan's very slim chance of squeezing into the top four is over.

Colin Ingram is doing all he can to keep Glamorgan in this.

But he falls for 34 from 13 balls.

Chris Cooke hits a boundary first ball but one, dot to close out the penultimate over.

Hampshire almost home and what a steal it would be.

No drama from Ari Karvelas in the final over and Sussex have closed it out.

Kent miss the chance to put one foot in the quarter-finals after Essex's defeat, but they stay in the top four with their final game at Somerset on Sunday.

Sussex are mathematically still in the race for the knockout stage.

But they must win their final game against Gloucestershire on Saturday, improve their net-run rate significantly and then hope for results in their favour elsewhere.

Tymal Mills closes out the final over well and Kent are left with a huge ask from the final six deliveries.

Kent just about still in this with seven wickets in hand.

What a start for Glamorgan - chasing 83 in six overs - with 19 from the first.

Paul Walter with the final over for Essex. Just two singles to start the over.

But then Martin Andersson with a big long ball to level the scores!

A single then wins it and Middlesex have pulled off their second extraordinary chase of the tournament.

What a blow for Essex who now have to win on the final day of the group phase at The Oval to try to get through.

Image source, Getty Images

Henry Brookes smashes Imad Wasim past cover to the boundary to give the Birmingham Bears a superb victory.

Don't forget, they were 7-4 after the first over!

That ensures the Bears will finish top of the North Group, while Notts are still not sure of a quarter-final place.

Jake Lintott keeps a calm head to take eight off the last three deliveries from Shaheen Shah Afridi, including a guided four to third, to leave the Bears needing one run off the last over.

Sam Cook with the penultimate over.

Tom Helm finds another boundary but singles and a two leaves this anyone's game from the final set.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is back, conceding nothing off the first three deliveries.

Nine needed off nine.

Doesn't seem long since Leicestershire were 102-1 and going along relatively nicely.

But the collapse was quick and brutal - and Zak Chappell finishes it off by getting Michael Finan caught behind. He edges back in front of Zaman Khan, 24 to 23, on T20 wickets taken this season.

Big win for Derbyshire in more ways than one - if they beat Worcestershire on Sunday, they'll be in the quarter-finals.

Daniel Sams played a superb innings earlier and now is back for his final over. Tom Helm on strike.

Wide, one, dot, dot.

But then Helm finds a boundary!

A single and a dot to end the over.

Middlesex edging closer.