Luis Reece top-scored with 59 and picked up four wickets on his return to first-class cricket at The 3aaa County Ground during Day One versus Gloucestershire.
The all-rounder was the standout performer for Derbyshire on a day in which Wayne Madsen went past 1,000 first-class runs and Tony Palladino claimed his 50th first-class wicket of the season for Derbyshire.
Craig Miles (5-50) bowled well to dismiss Derbyshire for 184, but the hosts fought back on a tough batting deck to leave Gloucestershire 100-5 at the close, with Reece picking up his best first-class bowling figures for Derbyshire.
After being put into bat by Gloucestershire, Billy Godleman played on from Miles and Reece was dropped at third slip on 32 in a tricky opening spell against the new ball.
Madsen surpassed 1,000 red ball runs for the fifth time in the last six seasons, but was out for 14 as Gloucestershire took a grip of the innings early on.
Tom Lace (6), returning to the side, soon followed, while Reece battled to a first half-century since returning from injury, off 75 balls, including eight fours.
When he was out to the impressive Miles, Matt Critchley (26) and Alex Hughes (22) set about stabilising the Derbyshire innings and their 51-run stand took the hosts to 149-4, before Miles struck again as Critchley was caught in the slips attempting an expansive drive.
Derbyshire suffered a lower-order collapse in tricky batting conditions, losing their last six wickets for 35 runs as Miles, well supported by Matt Taylor (3-32) and Ryan Higgins (2-35), ripped through the Derbyshire line-up.
Harvey Hosein (11) and Anuj Dal (12) both made starts, but the Gloucestershire bowling performance improved as the innings wore on and wickets were never far away, Derbyshire eventually all out for 184.
Gloucestershire started well in their reply and it took a good in-swinging delivery from Palladino in the tenth over to bowl Miles Hammond (4), the seamer picking up his 50th wicket of the season.
In a similar fashion to the Derbyshire innings, Chris Dent (37) and wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey (26) built well, adding 45 for the second wicket before the visitors stuttered and four wickets fell for 25 runs – all to Reece and all lbw.
Bowling from the City End, the all-rounder found late swing to deceive Bracey, Benny Howell (4), Ben Charlesworth (3) and Dent as Derbyshire responded well to leave Gloucestershire 100-5 at the close, trailing by 84 runs.
Four-day cricket is back! Derbyshire host their final Specsavers County Championship match of the season against Gloucestershire from Monday 24 September. Buy your tickets in advance and save.
