The Derbyshire Seconds were halted on the final day as Worcestershire rallied in their second innings to bat out a draw in their Second XI Champioship match at Stourbridge CC.
Tom Milnes took four wickets and Matt Critchley picked up three as Worcestershire posted 223 in their first innings on Day One.
Steered by a 157-run partnership between Harvey Hosein (unbeaten on 105) and Callum Brodrick (76), Derbyshire forged a first innings lead of 167 in being bowled out for 390.
Worcestershire resumed 33-0 with Ollie Westbury and George Rhodes in the middle, facing a deficit of 134. Tom Milnes (1-44) made the early breakthrough as Rhodes was caught by Critchley for 22.
Westbury was out with the score 76-2, lbw to Cotton, the first of the paceman’s two wickets. When Tom Fell was caught behind by Hosein off Rob Hemmings for 37, Derbyshire looked as though they could force a positive result.
However, new batsmen Alexei Kervezee and Alex Hepburn, added 105 for the fourth wicket, batting out valuable time for the hosts. Captain Hepburn was run out by Critchley for 40 and Zen Malik added 23 before he was bowled by Cotton for 23.
With the score moving onto 268-5, Kervezee continued to bat nicely, taking the game away from the visitors. After making the game safe he was eventually out for a well-made 140, lbw to Sam Connors.
Ben Twohig and Joe Dodd batted out the remainder of the day, not out on 21 and seven respectively as the hosts closed on 326-6.
The Second XI are next in action against Yorkshire in a three-day Second XI Championship fixture at York Cricket Club, starting on Tuesday 20 June; 11am.
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