Derbyshire Second XI came agonisingly close to a Championship victory over Leicestershire as they closed 269-7 in their chase of 281 on the final day at Kibworth CC.
Charlie Macdonell hit 91 and Akhil Patel struck 84, but late wickets slowed Derbyshire’s charge and they closed the final day 12 runs short in their chase and the game ended in a draw.
Resuming 21-0, Paul Horton (83) and Harry Dearden (30) added 62 runs in the morning before Dearden was lbw to Greg Cork.
Horton was lbw to Akhil Patel, but a 130-run stand for the third wicket between Sam Evans (82 not out) and Will Fazakerley (unbeaten on 72) guided the hosts to 272-2 declared, which set Derbyshire 281 to win from 50 overs.
Ben Slater (11) was out early, but Michael Jones (19) and Macdonell added 48 for the second wicket until Jones was out to Benjamin Mike with the score 67-2.
Macdonell and Patel added 118 for the third wicket, putting Derbyshire in control and in with a good chance of claiming the win.
Macdonell fell nine short of his century, bowled by Richard Jones for a well-made 91 with the score 185-3 and the game finely poised.
Tom Taylor (1) and Tom Milnes (13) were out in the space of 20 runs but Patel continued to bat well, reaching 84, before he was out with the score 258-6 and Derbyshire needing 33 from 1.5 overs.
Harvey Hosein (27) scored quickly, but once he was out, the chase was out of reach and Derbyshire closed the final day on 269-7, 12 runs short of their chase and the entertaining game ending in a draw.
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