DERBYSHIRE and Essex were locked in a battle for control at the start of day two of their LV County Championship match at Chesterfield.
Bowlers needed to keep plugging away for wickets and batsmen had to work hard for their runs as Essex reached lunch on 116-3 in reply to Derbyshire's 275.
Yet Derbyshire started the day on top as, with the 10th ball of the morning, Ravi Bopara was caught behind down the leg side for 15 to give Mark Footitt a second wicket at 30-2.
That brought in New Zealander Jesse Ryder, who showed his power with a pulled six into the trees off Tony Palladino but was given a let-off shortly after when he was dropped at second slip by Alex Hughes off Tom Taylor.
It was a bad miss but, before a run had been added, Ryder played on to Taylor in his next over and went for 32 at 88-3.
At lunch, Nick Browne was 44 not out and James Foster 12 not out.
There was no Wes Durston in the field for Derbyshire following his blow to the head while batting on day one but it is hoped he will be cleared to play tomorrow.
