A CENTURY second-wicket stand held up Derbyshire's hopes of tearing through the Durham MCCU batting on the final day of their match at the 3aaa County Ground.
If an early finish was what Derbyshire had in mind, they reckoned without stubborn resistance from Durham pair Cameron Steel and Chaitanya Bishnoi, who held out for a stand worth almost twice as many as the team managed in total – 67 - first time around.
Resuming on 33-1, having come together before there was a run on the scoreboard, they saw out 49 overs in a partnership of 112 before Steel, dropped at mid on for 36, was bowled by Chesney Hughes for 44 without playing a shot. He hit seven fours and faced 174 balls.
When the wickets did come for Derbyshire, they came in a hurry, as Hughes bowled a sweeping Will Jenkins in his next over and, three balls later, Bishnoi's fine innings ended at 65 when he was lbw to Wes Durston at 116-4.
The Indian batsman faced 148 balls and hit five fours but Durham had lost 3-4 in 15 balls.
Derbyshire had to stay patient, with the seamers beating the edge of the bat plenty of times without finding the nicks, though they did hold Durham to only 53 runs in the 28-over first session.
Palladino got his overdue reward when Chris Purshouse was caught behind for 11 at 137-5 and a flying catch by Durston at second slip gave Palladino a second victim at 137-6, Freddie van den Bergh the batsman.
Durham batted for five more overs after tea before the descending gloom caused the umpires to lead the players off the pitch and, shortly after, the match was abandoned as a draw.
Anish Paraam was 22 not out and Oliver Steele nine not out at 158-6.
