Richard Johnson was Derbyshire Falcons hero at sunny Chesterfield in their Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Yorkshire Carnegie on Sunday.
It looked grim for Derbyshire when they slumped to 56-4 after Yorkshire batted first and closed on 238-7.
But Johnson hit 79 runs at Queen’s Park as Derbyshire won with 13 balls to spare.
The Falcons elected to bowl first after winning the toss and Yorkshire made steady progress, going from 52 without loss after ten overs to 103-2 at the half way stage.
Caenegie upped the run rate towards the end with Richard Pyrah hitting 44 from 28 deliveries. Wes Durston took 2-32.
Derbyshire got off to the worst possible start as Usman Khawaja fell in the first over for a duck. His opening partner, Chesney Hughes also went cheaply and when Durston (15) and Dan Redfern (4) fell, the hosts were in trouble at 56-4.
But thoughts of a collapse were banished, cheering the Derbyshire contingent in the packed crowd of around 3,000.
Johnson was the star with his accomplished innings but there were solid knocks from skipper Wayne Madsen (40) and Alex Hughes who hit an unbeaten 37, including the winning stroke.
Johnson said: “‘It was a great chase from the boys and we bowled really well too. It was a good pitch and we knew with our batting capabilities that we could chase down the target and we’re over the moon.’’
Wednesday had seen Derbyshire stage their first-class 400th game at Queen’s Park when they entertained Yorkshire in a top of the table Division Two County Championship clash.
Having bowled the visitors out for 219 inside the first two sessions, Derbyshire then reached 135-7 at the close, a deficit of 84 runs.
Yorkshire elected to bat and their total was limited by great performances from Tim Groenewald, Mark Turner and Durston who each took three wickets.
Play was interrupted just before lunch by a downpour but the green light was given to resume at 2pm.
Derbyshire began their innings after tea and there were good knocks from Matt Lineker (33), and an unbeaten 21 from Tony Palladino.
At the close were 84 runs adrift with three wickets remaining.
Unfortunately, the weather washed out the following three days play as each team had to settle for six points.
The result leaves Derbyshire on top of the table, 22 points clear of second-placed Hampshire.
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