Derbyshire batted for a day to make 251 in the first innings at Derby as only Australian Michael Di Venuto stood tall against the Leicestershire bowling, scoring 76. Eventually, Derbyshire declared on 251 for 9, as wickets were spread about evenly. Leicestershire replied with an opening partnership of 85, and a half-century from Dinesh Mongia took them to 188 for 2. But Graeme Welch took four for 48 as the last eight wickets fell for 91 runs, with only Darren Robinson's gritty four-hour 110 and David Masters quickfire 25 giving Leicestershire a lead. The Derbyshire reply was equally gritty, as 112 overs of cricket yielded only 259 runs, with di Venuto scoring 73 runs in a little less than five hours – only Charl Willoughby took wickets in the first two sessions for Leicestershire, as Derbyshire made it to 160 for 1 before Willoughby had di Venuto lbw. Derbyshire finished their second innings on 285 five overs into the fourth morning, setting a target of 258, and Derbyshire dug out three early wickets for 48 runs. But 47 from Mongia along with half-centuries from HD Ackerman and John Sadler saw to it that Leicestershire made it to their target of 258 for the loss of six wickets. (Cricinfo scorecard)