Jon Dakin emerged with the major honours as Essex returned to the winning trail in yesterday's Norwich Union duel against Derbyshire.

Dakin has not had the happiest of seasons both on and off the field, but it was his unbeaten 45 from 41 balls that gave the innings much-needed momentum to carry the county to 209-7, and eventually pave the way for a 49-run triumph.

No side had reached 200 at Derby in this season's competition and Essex seemed unlikely to scale such heights as the end of the 43rd over arrived with 178 on the board.

But Dakin, whose fitness and attitude has been called into question by head coach Graham Gooch this summer, then opened his broad shoulders to great effect.

With the help of James Middlebrook, who finished on 13 not out, 31 runs were plundered from the final two overs sent down by Matt Dowman and Tom Lungley.

Kevin Dean emerged as the destructive influence for Derbyshire.

He dismissed Darren Robinson, Will Jefferson, Ronnie Irani and Mark Pettini at a personal cost of 33 as Essex stuttered to 61.

Fortunately, Andy Flower had by then settled in and went on to underline his class with a stylish 52 from 78 balls that contained a square leg six off paceman of James Kerr.

Although Irani failed to trouble the scorers with the bat, he quickly made his presence felt with the ball by getting rid of Michael DiVenuto and Chris Bassano in his first four overs.

Dowman, Steve Selwood and Luke Sutton all managed to get into double figures without too much difficulty before they were despatched without every threatening to seize the initiative.

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Published Monday August 12, 2002

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