Having progressed to 364 all out in their first innings, Derbyshire set about asserting their authority against Northamptonshire at Northampton. Northants slumped to 12-2 with Rob White and Ben Howgego failed before a comeback was launched by Stephen Peters and Rob Newton. Newton was brutal with his drives as he went to 50 off 69 balls and then kicked on whilst Peters blocked at the other end before wicket finally fell at 151 when Peters edged Greg Smith's spin to Wayne Madsen for 46. Newton fell three overs later for 94 off 114 with 18 fours when he drove Mark Turner only for the ball to slide off the face to Martin Guptill at gully.
Light rain then forced the players off for tea and then it took an age for them to return, which eventually happened at 4:45. Andrew Hall and Mal Loye batted on but struggled to get the better of tight bowling from Turner, Smith and Tim Groenewald and Turner snared Loye for 6 after an hour (190-5). Hall and Niall O'Brien brought up the 200 before Groenewald had Hall lbw for 27. Chaminda Vaas (11) and O'Brien (14) then saw out the last 10 overs and avoided the follow-on to leave Northamptonshire 220-6 at the close, still 144 runs behind.
