Second XI: Derbyshire earn big win at Lady Bay

First innings centuries from Alex Hughes (136) and Luis Reece (112), as well as a mammoth final-day partnership between Brooke Guest and Matt Critchley earned Derbyshire an eight-wicket win in the Second XI fixture against Nottinghamshire at Lady Bay.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field in Nottingham, a decision which quickly paid off as seamer Sam Conners, making his return from injury, claims two early wickets, leaving the hosts 16-2.

He would finish the innings with figures of 3-46, as Nottinghamshire were dismissed for 282, despite a top-score of 97 from Liam Patterson-White. Reece also took 2-38, as he prepares for Derbyshire’s return to red ball cricket against Middlesex at Lord’s on Monday.

The all-rounder would play a key role in helping Derbyshire take control of the contest, scoring 12 fours and two sixes on his way to a 191-ball century, eventually falling for 112, while Alex Hughes top-scored with a magnificent 136, as his side reached 378 in their first innings.

On Day Three, Conners would again strike with the new ball, first having Matt Montgomery caught behind for 11, before Sam Northeast (0) was trapped lbw by the Derbyshire quick. He would later dismiss Sol Budinger (28) to finish with six wickets in the match. Alex Thomson (3-34) claimed three quick wickets as Nottinghamshire were all out for 264.

Chasing 171 to win, Derbyshire had an early wobble as Harry Came (10) and Tom Wood (4) fell, but Critchley and Guest got the ideal preparation for next week’s first team fixture as they put on 149 for the third wicket, with both batsmen scoring 11 fours apiece. That was enough to guide Derbyshire to victory at Lady Bay, a result which moves the side up to 16th with two games remaining.