Maxwell and Chapman Lead Belfast Wolves to 52-Run ETPL Opening Win

Belfast Wolves began their European Twenty20 Premier League campaign with a 52-run victory over Dublin Guardians in the Netherlands. BBC Sport reported that the Wolves posted 184-7 from their 20 overs before holding the Guardians to 132-9. The result gave the Belfast franchise a winning start in the inaugural competition after rain had delayed the match.

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Dublin won the toss and chose to bowl first, but Belfast captain Glenn Maxwell and Mark Chapman supplied the decisive runs. Maxwell, the Australia all-rounder who also co-owns the Wolves, scored 59 from 38 balls. Chapman added 54 as Belfast reached 184-7, leaving the Guardians with a target of 185 to win their opening fixture.

Wood recorded the best bowling figures for Dublin, taking 3-43, but the Guardians could not match Belfast's total when they batted. George Dockrell top-scored for Dublin with 35, while Wood contributed 25. The chase finished at 132-9 after 20 overs, 52 runs short of the Wolves' score rather than with Dublin dismissed.

Belfast's attack shared the main wicket-taking work. Netherlands international Fred Klaassen and Ireland internationals Matthew Humphreys and Mark Adair each collected two wickets. Humphreys finished with figures of 2-23 as the Wolves prevented Dublin from building a chase large enough to challenge the target set by Maxwell and Chapman.

The European T20 Premier League is being staged for the first time and includes six franchises. Belfast and Dublin are joined by teams representing Glasgow, Edinburgh, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Each side is scheduled to face every other team twice, beginning with the first set of matches in the Netherlands. The second round of fixtures and the play-offs are due to be held at Malahide in Dublin.

Both teams now move quickly to their next assignments in the new tournament. Dublin Guardians are scheduled to face Glasgow Cosmic on Saturday as they seek their first victory, while Belfast Wolves will play Rotterdam Dockers in their second fixture. Belfast enter that match with points secured and a 52-run opening margin built on the two half-centuries and a disciplined bowling effort.