Birmingham Bears 162 for 5 (Benjamin 68*) beat Durham 158 for 9 (Coughlin 40, Brookes 3-35) by five wickets
Brydon Carse then struck twice early on to put the Bears under pressure before Benjamin decided the game with a display of power-hitting which peaked with an assault of 37 from nine balls as the Bears sealed victory with 19 balls to spare.
Durham then took that impetus into the field to reduce the Bears to 36 for 4. Carse was the catalyst, delivering two excellent overs for just five runs while taking two wickets – Jacob Bethell, bowled by a yorker, and Alex Davies, caught at point.
Jonathan Bushnell, fielding as 12th man and still to play a first-team game for Durham, added a memorable first contribution at senior level with a stunning catch, taken over his shoulder sprinting back from point, to remove Rob Yates, who had replaced the injured Sam Hain.
After a brief recce, Benjamin and Hose then climbed into spectacular counter-attack. Benjamin raced to a 22-ball half-century and the pair took their stands in successive matches to a combined 183 from 84 balls before Hose lifted Trevaskis to long-off.
The partnership had broken the back of the chase. Bears captain Brathwaite went in with 38 needed from 45 balls, only 26 of which were required for the Bears to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Blast.