A ONE-DAY career best from Billy Godleman, much of it made in a century stand with Wayne Madsen, took Derbyshire to 271-7 after being put in to bat by Gloucestershire at the 3aaa County Ground.
Godleman made 96 and could consider himself very unlucky to be given out but the Falcons were still in pretty good shape at the midway stage of their must-win final Royal London One-Day Cup group match.
They started the day needing to win and needing Leicestershire to lose at Old Trafford. The Foxes were bowled out for 184 by Lancashire, who were 33-0 in seven overs at tea.
Batting conditions were not easy at first and Derbyshire lost Wes Durston in the fifth over as he drove at Craig Miles and was caught behind for 14 at 25-1.
Godleman and Marcus North recovered well to take the score on to 73 in the 15th over only for the stand to be broken when North set off for a single off a nudge to point and was run out for 20 after being sent back.
That was a blow just when Derbyshire were starting to get into their stride but the third-wicket pair soon picked up the pace. They added 116 in 22 overs but their stand ended when Madsen was well caught by wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick standing up to David Payne.
The skipper made 57 off 65 balls with three fours and a six and the score was 189-3 in the 37th over.
Alex Hughes fell in similar fashion in the next over at 190-4 but Godleman moved closer to a century until he was given caught behind down the leg side for 96 at 209-5 in the 42nd over. There was conspicuously no appeal at first from the wicketkeeper and it looked a poor decision.
Godleman faced 131 balls and hit six fours and a six.
Gareth Cross made only one before he was caught at long on at 220-6 but late runs came from Scott Elstone (37) and Tony Palladino (28 not out) as, despite a hold-up for rain, they added 45 in five overs. Elstone was bowled with two balls to go and David Wainwright finished four not out.
