TWO weeks ago it was Northampton, this week it was

Chesterfield but the outcome was much the same.

Derbyshire and Northamptonshire played out a dull final day

in the LV County Championship before shaking hands on a draw as

soon as the opportunity allowed.

There was even less prospect of a more positive result being

forced on Saturday at Queen's Park than there was in the

earlier meeting of the sides at Wantage Road because Derbyshire

had made sure of avoiding the possibility of a follow-on the

evening before, while Northants scraped through on the morning

of the fourth day last time.

A deal could not be struck to manufacture a closer finish,

largely because Northants did not think the wicket had done

anything to suggest they could bowl Derbyshire out.

They were right, of course. Queen's Park is such a

fast-scoring ground that it is difficult to know what is a

reasonable target to set without handing the chasing side too

much of the advantage.

In the end, Northants settled for an afternoon's batting

practice and Stephen Peters helped himself to an unbeaten 104

as they finished on 216-3.

Peters' was the only century of the day, though Derbyshire

began with hopes that two of their own might make it to three

figures.

Greg Smith and Jon Clare's stand for the sixth wicket in

Derbyshire's first innings had taken them past the follow-on

figure and they stretched their partnership to 138 on the

fourth morning.

Clare, 50 not out overnight, came out driving very firmly

and quickly overtook his partner, who resumed on 70.

Smith's third day efforts were invaluable for his team but

he had trouble finding his feet again. It was as if he had too

long to contemplate the possibility of a maiden first-class

hundred and it was no great surprise when he was out for 76 in

the seventh over of the day – lbw offering no shot to a

straight Andrew Hall delivery.

It was still arguably Smith's most mature first-class

innings for Derbyshire and, as such, deserved a hundred. He

faced 174 balls and hit nine fours.

Clare lost Graham Wagg's company in the same Hall over and

began to get the jitters himself.

He effortlessly pulled David Lucas for six on his way to 88

but the Northants bowler had his revenge by sending Clare's off

stump flying. His runs came off 126 balls and, as well as that

six, Clare struck 15 fours.

In the end, Derbyshire fell short of claiming a fourth

batting point, as they were bowled out for 342, but the fact

that Northants led by 57 from the first innings was immaterial.

The contest was dead.

The weather has spoiled Derbyshire's last three Championship

matches and, while victory might have been beyond them over

four days this time after they lost an important toss, they

could certainly claim to have been in with a chance of the win

away to Northants and at home to Leicestershire.

It is Worcestershire away next for Derbyshire, starting at

New Road on Wednesday, and it will be a tricky match for

them.

While Derbyshire and others have been frustrated by draws,

Worcestershire have stolen a march on the rest to win their

last three – by 10 wickets against Glamorgan and Middlesex and

by an innings and 142 runs against Gloucestershire this

week.

They now lead Division Two and Derbyshire have to find a way

of closing the gap.