Sadler's defiance holds up Derbyshire's victory charge

John Sadler again stood in Derbyshire's path as the home side chased a first Championship win at Derby in four years. Sadler steered Leicestershire to victory with an unbeaten half- century in this fixture last season and he led a recovery yesterday with another 50.

The visitors slumped to 49 for 4 after Derbyshire had declared their first innings on 401 for 6 on another rain-interrupted day. But Sadler made the most of an escape on 12 to dig in with Jeremy Snape to reach 137 for 4 at the close.

With 134 overs lost so far, Derbyshire had to wait until after lunch to get the single run they needed to secure maximum batting points. They declared immediately but Leicestershire faced only four balls from Steffan Jones before another sharp shower drove the players from the field.

It was only a brief respite, and a wicket fell in the fourth over when Darren Maddy tried to turn Ian Hunter off his legs and edged low to first slip, where Steve Stubbings took the catch. John Maunders then lobbed to square leg to leave his side on 2 for 2. Hunter then removed Dinesh Mongia for 10, Travis Birt taking a superb catch at third slip.

James Pipe then dropped Sadler, but Leicestershire lost their fourth wicket in the next over when Hilton Ackerman was bowled for 13 by the Derbyshire captain Graeme Welch.

Glamorgan's C&G Trophy match against Middlesex at Sophia Gardens was abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain.