Luis Reece took 3-58 on the third day of the Specsavers County Championship match versus Leicestershire to give Derbyshire a bonus bowling point on another rain-affected day.
The all-rounder struck either side of the tea interval and there were wickets for Will Davis (1-37) and Matt Critchley (1-31) as Leicestershire closed on 267-5.
Further overnight rain and light showers in the morning worsened conditions on the outfield, and following two morning pitch inspections an early lunch was called for 12.20pm.
Groundstaff worked to remove standing water from the outfield throughout the morning and their efforts paid off, as play got underway at 1.45pm with Derbyshire electing to bowl first.
Paul Horton (66) and Michael Carberry (45), opening the innings for Leicestershire, frustrated the Derbyshire bowlers early on and struck a number of boundaries in the opening ten overs in a counter-attack against the new ball.
Davis, who came into the side for Tony Palladino after the seamer suffered a minor side strain in training, came into the attack at the first change but he too was unable to trouble the Leiecestershire pair.
The partnership eventually was broken in the 17th over by Reece, Carberry caught at first slip by Wayne Madsen with the score on 94-1.
Critchley had an appeal for lbw turned down just before tea and the hosts went into the interval losing just one wicket, enjoying the better of the day’s opening session.
Shortly after the break Derbyshire were back on the front foot and had their first bonus bowling point as Reece removed Horton, caught by Madsen for 66, and then Mark Cosgrove, caught by Slater for 11.
However, Leicestershire continued their intent to earn a bonus point of their own and the run rate rarely dipped below four an over as they surpassed 200 before Colin Ackermann (65) was bowled by Critchley.
Three overs later Davis claimed his first of 2018, Lewis Hill (3) caught behind by Gary Wilson, but the hosts pushed on past 250 to earn a second bonus batting point.
After an eventful 71 overs Leicestershire closed on 267-5, with Ned Eckersley and Neil Dexter unbeaten on 40 and 22 respectively, leaving both sides with hope of more bonus points tomorrow.
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