Billy Godleman struck his first red-ball half-century of the season on a difficult Day Two for Derbyshire at Emirates Riverside.
The captain showed defiance in a knock worth 66, but six wickets for 45 runs weakened Derbyshire’s position before rain brought an early end to the day’s play.
Ravi Rampaul (5-77) completed his five-wicket haul in the morning session to dismiss Durham for 293, while Derbyshire stuttered after an opening stand of 83 to close on 181-6, trailing by 112.
Having stood firm to see off Derbyshire’s attack at the end of Day One, Ned Eckersley and Matthew Potts returned to the crease to begin the second day.
The pair scored steadily, adding 16 to the overnight total of 254 before Tony Palladino struck. He bowled Potts for a score of 14 to bring Chris Rushworth to the crease.
The final-wicket pairing of Eckersley (26 not out) and Rushworth set about accelerating Durham’s scoring, putting on 15 runs in their first 20 balls, but Rampaul completed his five-wicket haul by having Rushworth (4) caught by Lace to dismiss Durham for 293.
After the innings break, Derbyshire’s opening pair of Godleman and Luis Reece started positively and brought up their fifty-partnership in 10 overs.
Four runs in five overs followed, with both batsmen going into lunch unbeaten on 25.
They extended their partnership to 83 after lunch before Reece was caught behind by Eckersley off the bowling of Raine for a score of 38.
Raine claimed another wicket in his next over, having Wayne Madsen caught behind without scoring.
Godleman continued to score, despite the loss of two quick wickets, and brought up his maiden first-class half-century of the season in 80 balls, hitting seven fours on his way to fifty.
He was eventually out to Gareth Harte, bowled for 66, the first of the all-rounder’s three wickets. He toppled Tom Lace’s stumps in his next over, the batsman shouldering arms to a shaping delivery and Durham seized momentum.
Alex Hughes and Harvey Hosein both fell without scoring, leaving Derbyshire 128-6, trailing by 165 runs.
Matt Critchley (38 not out) and Leus du Plooy (unbeaten on 10) added an unbroken 53-run stand for the seventh wicket, as rain brought an early tea and then a premature close in tough conditions in Durham.
Derbyshire will resume on Day Three on 181-6, still training the hosts by 112 runs.
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