A County Championship game against Northants plus the traditional T20 Vitality Blast against Yorkshire Vikings were the treats offered at the 2019 Festival. This famous ground once again had a capacity crowd for the T20 Vitality Blast match against Yorkshire. They saw a Derbyshire win with Chesterfield CC’s Matt Critchley once again making a vital late contribution to the victory. An added bonus was the presentation of a trophy to one of Chesterfield’s famous cricketing personalities.

County Championship: July 14 – 16 2019: Northamptonshire win by 72 runs

Northamptonshire: 342 (Bavuma 134, Critchley 4-107) & 122 (Palladino 4-33)

Derbyshire: 146 (Hudson-Prentice 55, Sanderson 5-46) & 246 (Lace 41, Proctor 4-26)

It was a fascinating first day with the Derbyshire bowlers being in charge in the first session when only 66 runs were scored in 29 overs. After the break it was a different story with 76 coming off just 12 overs, as Bavuma and Rossington took the Derbyshire spinners to task. Bavuma showed his true class as he moved to his second successive century, eventually out for 134, showing his usual style and flair. With good contributions from the middle and lower order, Northants posted a total of 342 and Derbyshire were left with a difficult twelve overs to the end of the day, during which they lost a wicket.

Only Hudson – Prentice had the measure of the Northants bowlers the following day as Derbyshire were bowled out for a disappointing 146 with right arm quickie Ben Sanderson doing most damage and finishing with 5-46. The Derbyshire bowlers then performed well and got their side back into the match by dismissing Northants for 122. All the bowlers played their part but outstanding was Tony Palladino who claimed 4-33 in 12 overs.

T20 Vitality Blast – Saturday 20 July 2019; Derbyshire Falcons win by 5 wickets

Yorkshire Vikings 164-8 (Thompson 50; Watt 4-19)

Derbyshire Falcons 166-5 (Godleman 70*)

Derbyshire came back well from their Championship defeat to claim their fifth successive T20 win over Yorkshire. Another capacity crowd saw a significant 5 wicket victory by Derbyshire. Derbyshire’s Scottish spinner, Mark Watt, claimed four cheap wickets as the Vikings collapsed from 31-0 in the fourth over to 77-6 in the 12^th. They ended with 164-8 as Jordan Thompson smashed five sixes in a brilliant 50 off 27 balls and Jonny Tattersall added an unbeaten 39. It proved not to be enough as Derbyshire, anchored by a brilliant 70 not out by captain, Billy Godleman, kept up with the required rate. At no point in Derbyshire’s innings did they lose control of the chase, completing their victory with the first ball of the final over.

Many thanks are given to all who make the Chesterfield Festival an ongoing success, particularly Chesterfield Borough Council and the many volunteers from Chesterfield CC.

The Derbyshire players love playing at Queen’s Park and it is hoped they will do so for many years to come.