Tom Lace hit a career-best 83 on an even Day One of the Specsavers County Championship match against Gloucestershire at The Bristol County Ground.
The 20-year-old combined with Alex Hughes (26) for a 73-run partnership as the Derbyshire finished the day 256-7.
Matt Critchley (39) and Harvey Hosein (41) batted for the majority of the afternoon as the pair also reached their half-century partnership.
Ryan Higgins got an early breakthrough for the home side as he bowled Billy Godleman for seven.
Wayne Madsen then joined Luis Reece in the middle as the pair set about building the Derbyshire innings after the loss of an early wicket.
They were watchful on a difficult wicket to take the score to 48-1, before Matt Taylor claimed his first to remove Madsen for 15.
Lace looked in good touch alongside Reece, striking five boundaries to take Derbyshire to 72-2 at lunch.
Reece then fell for 39 after the interval before Lace passed fifty for the second time in as many matches, from 89 balls.
Hughes was patient alongside the fluent Lace as the duo brought up their half-century partnership to accelerate the visitors past the 150 mark.
Lace was then out caught behind off the bowling of Taylor for 83, as Derbyshire reached 182-4 at tea.
Hughes followed shortly after in the second over after tea, before Hosein and Critchley took the score past 200 to earn a bonus batting point.
The 22-year-olds continued to keep the scoreboard ticking and frustrate the from the Gloucestershire attack, despite tight bowling from the hosts.
Gloucestershire then took the new ball before Hosein and Critchley combined for the second half-century partnership of the match, coming from 124 balls.
The partnership came to an end on 71 runs as both batsmen fell in quick succession.
Critchley was out lbw before Hosein fell short of his fourth successive half-century as he was bowled by Howell.
After two quick wickets, Anuj Dal and Logan van Beek remained unbeaten at the crease as Derbyshire finished the day on 256-7.
A winning start! Derbyshire start the 2019 season with a victory. Never miss a moment this summer with Club Membership. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
