Derbyshire v Lancashire T20

Lancashire 167-9 (Neesham 4-35, Petersen 79)

Derbyshire 170-4 (Rutherford 47, Durston 51)

Derbyshire won by six wickets

Tonight saw a good all round performance by Derbyshire in front of a good crowd and on a pleasant evening when the beer sales and those for fish and chips must have made for many smiling faces.

There was plenty going on and Derbyshire looked up for completing the double over the reigning champions as they went on the field. The early overs suggested a tough night, the cause not being helped by one horrendous fielding mix up between Harvey Hosein and Andy Carter, which let of Alviro Petersen before he really got going. The ball was skied towards Carter who barely had to move, but Harvey called, Carter moved and the keeper didn't get there. It was an easier catch for the fielder and could have been costly.

The flying start was slowed by a fine spell, yet again, from Matt Critchley. Again he didn't bowl a full allocation, yet only one soaring six from Petersen suggested confidence and two of his colleagues perished on the sweep, misjudging the turn. He is quite a talent, Mr Critchley...

Alex Hughes bowled a tidy spell too, but the visitors came unstuck in the last two overs, the first beautifully bowled by Andy Carter, the second by Jimmy Neesham.

Ten an over would have taken them to 180. They got seven from the two and Neesham kept getting them out in the sort of display one hopes for from an overseas import. I think him the best of the three Kiwis and expect him to be a real player for his country in the years ahead.

Rutherford hit the first ball of the reply for four and then he and Durston outpaced Lancashire on the powerplay. When Hamish sliced a drive, Chesney kept up the pace and there were regular boundaries to keep Derbyshire on track.

Though Wes and Ches departed from successive balls, and Neil Broom failed, Neesham completed a fine all-round game with a composed knock, aided by Wayne Madsen, a very good number six...

After that win, which came with eight balls to spare, we are fifth in the section, with Worcestershire and Durham still to play.

The group is wide open, the dream very much alive, if dependent  on other results.

Good effort lads.