GLEN Chapple produced his best-ever innings for Lancashire to dig them out of a deep hole at bogey ground Derby.

Captain John Crawley's decision to bat first on a sticky morning looked to have backfired as the Derbyshire seamers reduced Lancashire to 71-6. But Chapple linked up first with Warren Hegg, then Richard Green in determined partnerships which allowed Lancashire to post a respectable total of 224 - and claim one batting point.

Then he teamed up with Peter Martin with the ball to reduce Derbyshire's reply to 24-2 before rain delayed today's start.

Chapple's 83 was not officially a career best because he hit the fastest century of all time against Glamorgan at Old Trafford in 1993. But while that innings was in contrived circumstances against joke bowling and fielding, yesterday's was the real thing.

Chapple grafted more than three hours for his half century, his second of the season following a crucial effort in support of Graham Lloyd in the victory over Notts at Old Trafford in May.

Hegg helped him double the score with a seventh wicket stand of 71, the wicket keeper contributing a typically plucky 41 to continue his consistent season with the bat. Then Green, who was preferred to Mike Smethurst as the replacement for the injured Ian Austin, offered a timely reminder of his batting ability by making 27 in a ninth wicket stand of 82 - a new record for Lancashire against Derby. Chapple was denied his first authentic century by impressive Derbyshire seamer Paul Aldred who had him caught behind to complete figures of 6-83.

But Chapple and Martin then claimed the wickets of Tim Tweats and nightwatchman Aldred to boost Lancashire's hopes of a fourth straight Championship win.

Warwickshire Bears plunged deeper into CGU National League relegation trouble with a 71-run loss to Leicestershire Foxes by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

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