Second XI: Reece makes 166 as Derbyshire earn thrilling win

Luis Reece top-scored with 166 as Derbyshire chased down 346-9 to win on the final day of their Second XI Championship fixture against Durham at Repton School.

Josh Lacey (53) and Harry Caton (49 not out including four sixes), also made key contributions to the chase, which was completed inside 77 overs.

At the conclusion of both sides’ first innings, Durham looked to be heading for victory, with Jonathan Bushnell (134) and Brydon Carse (133) scoring centuries as the visitors declared on 432-8.

Derbyshire were then bowled out for 241 with Reece’s 88 the top-score, but Durham elected not to enforce the follow-on, and instead reached 151-5, before declaring and setting the hosts a target of 343 to win. Reece arrived at the crease with the score 4-1, and quickly saw the dismissals of Harry Came (3) and Alex Hughes (8), to leave Derbyshire 48-3.

However, a partnership of 121 from just 129 balls between Reece and Lacey moved the score onto 238-5, less than 100 runs from victory, when the latter was dismissed for 53.

Reece brought his century up in 141 balls, and reached 150 66 balls later, when he fell for 166, he had faced 217 deliveries, including 17 fours and three sixes, but there was still work for Derbyshire to do.

All four of Caton’s sixes came off George Drissell, as the wicketkeeper-batter accelerated Derbyshire towards the winning total, with number 11, Mikey Cohen, at the other end. Caton’s glance into the legside for four saw Derbyshire home, leaving him unbeaten on 49.

2022 Membership – One Club, Our County

2022 Membership is on sale now, with supporters able to attend a full season of Derbyshire home cricket for the first time since 2019, along with a host of other great benefits for!