HOLDERS Essex bowed out of the Friends Provident Trophy when they were comfortably beaten by 67 runs by Lancashire at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The win gave the home side revenge for two defeats by Essex in the group stages and they now face a home semi-final date with Hampshire, conquerors of Middlesex, at Old Trafford, on 5 July.
Francois du Plessis was the star of the day, hitting 113 not out from just 75 balls with seven sixes as Lancashire posted 262 for six.
Essex rarely looked capable of overhauling them and spinner Gary Keedy took for for 45 as the visitors were bowled out for 195.
Essex had looked like they might restrict Lancashire to a lower target and after skipper Mar Pettini put the home side in to bat. David Masters produced a fine ten over spell, taking two wickets for just 14 runs.
Grant Flower also took two wickets, for nine in three overs as Lancashire struggled to154 for five in the 41st over.
But, having reached his 50 in the 45th over off 52 balls, du Plessis set about the Essex bowling to stunningly transform the contest.
Essex struggled from the off when they batted. Alastair Cook (12) was the victim of a fine running catch by Sajid Mahmood and du Plessis took centre stage with a precision throw to get rid of the in-form Varun Chopra for a six-ball duck.
Mark Pettini (24), Matt Walker (19) and James Foster (10) all got starts. But, once Foster had gone to a diving catch by Chapple, Essex were 99 for five in the 29th over.
And when Flower was caught at midwicket, at 130 for six, that was their final realistic hope gone, a few late blows from Ryan ten Doeschate merely delayed the inevitable.