Alex Hughes took his score to 74 not out before rain brought an early end to Day Two away to Northamptonshire with the game finely poised at the halfway stage.
The 26-year-old all-rounder’s fourth half-century of the campaign helped Derbyshire to 118-4, adding 58 to their overnight score, as Brett Hutton and Nathan Buck picked up a wicket each in the morning session.
Resuming on 60-2, Tom Lace (38) and Hughes made a good start to the morning, building steadily as Derbyshire looked to chip away at the Northamptonshire lead.
Opener Lace was drawn into a false shot by Nathan Buck and caught by Ben Curran to end the 82-run third wicket stand after Hughes had earlier reached his half-century off 74 balls, with seven fours and one six.
Gary Wilson (3) failed to settle and was out to Hutton’s first ball of his new spell, before rain and bad light forced an early lunch with Derbyshire 118-4, with Hughes unbeaten on 74 and Matt Critchley yet to score and the deficit 137.
The poor weather remained and the umpires abandoned play for the day shortly before 4pm, with just 29 overs bowled in the day.
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