Hamish Rutherford and Chesney Hughes both hit half-centuries as Derbyshire secured their fifth successive draw in the Specsavers County Championship.
On a day effected by rain, only 24 overs were bowled in which the visitors had moved from 150-1 to 261-4, before the two sides settled for a draw. Derbyshire claim eight points, while Essex take 11 from the match.
Rutherford led the way on the final day hitting 68, while Hughes, continuing after retiring ill on Day Three, hit an unbeaten 66 – his fifth score above fifty this summer.
Play got underway at 11.50am after a rain delay, but only seven overs were possible in the morning before more rain arrived, in which Derbyshire had added 24 runs without loss.
After a lengthy delay, play got back underway at 4.10pm and it didn’t take New Zealand international Rutherford long to pass fifty for the second time this season.
Night-watchman Tom Taylor added 13 runs to his overnight score, before he was first man out for 19. This brought Hughes back to the crease after he retired ill the day previous with a migraine.
The pair added 51 for the third wicket before Rutherford was caught behind by James Foster off Ravi Bopara for 68 off 114 balls, with eight fours.
Wayne Madsen (2) fell shortly after, but Hughes remain resolute to continue his excellent start to the summer. He ended unbeaten on 66 to take his season tally to 569 runs at an average of 113 and become the leading run scorer in Division Two.
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