Rain forced a draw on the final day versus Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge with Derbyshire on 190-5, just 26 runs short of a first Specsavers County Championship victory of the season.
Tom Taylor took three wickets in his first four overs and Jeevan Mendis took the final Nottinghamshire wicket as Derbyshire bowled the hosts out for 349, setting a final innings chase of 216 to win.
Derbyshire were on the verge of chasing down that total, with 61 from Wayne Madsen putting them in control, before rain brought the close with the score on 190-5.
Billy Godleman said: “Obviously we are disappointed that we weren’t able to play the game though and seal the victory but we’ve spoken internally about putting together quality first class cricket across four days, not just a session or a day, so I’m really pleased the group were able to play good solid cricket across all four days.
“I think everyone has played their part, it’s been a real team effort and everyone has contributed. We are just disappointed that the weather and light intervened and stopped us from a certain victory.”
Persistent rain meant there could be no play before lunch, which was taken at 12.30pm. Play did get underway at 1.45pm and Taylor got a wicket in the third over of the morning, Hutton bowled for 11, the score on 321-7.
Taylor struck again in his next over, Luke Wood caught on the hook by Alex Hughes without scoring. Luke Fletcher came and went in Taylor’s fourth over of the day, lbw for one, the hosts on 326-9.
Mendis wrapped the innings, Harry Gurney (0) caught by Shiv Thakor. Chris Read was left unbeaten on 74 as Nottinghamshire were all out for 349, adding 36 to their overnight score and setting Derbyshire 216 to win.
Godleman and Luis Reece opened the innings for Derbyshire, who had a possible 49 overs to chase their target.
Reece hit two fours off Fletcher before being caught at mid-off by Michael Lumb off the same bowler for 14. Derbyshire reached tea on 28-1, needing a further 188 runs to win in the final session.
Godleman was out for 22 shortly after the tea interval, caught behind by Read off Wood for 22.
Thakor and Madsen added 67 runs for the third wicket before Thakor (25) was caught behind by Read trying to pull a short delivery from Gurney.
Madsen brought up his half-century with a six over mid-wicket off Gurney, the Derbyshire batsman reaching the milestone in 47 balls, including eight fours and one six.
He was out for 61, caught by Hutton in the deep off a thick outside edge to Samit Patel, with 75 runs required.
Gary Wilson and Alex Hughes added 39 before bad light forced the players off the field. Five overs were lost, meaning Derbyshire required 36 from nine after the restart.
Hughes fell in the 36th over, lbw to Fletcher for 24, bringing Mendis to the crease. The Sri Lanka all-rounder hit his second ball for four, before rain stopped play again, Derbyshire needing just 26 more to win.
The rain got heavier and no more play was possible, the enthralling match ending in a draw, with Derbyshire taking 12 points and Nottinghamshire nine.
Supporters can save £4 by purchasing their matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
