Bowlers on top as Middlesex & Derbyshire batters toil

Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Lord's (day one)

Middlesex 177: Robson 31; Aitchison 5-47, Haydon 2-60

Derbyshire 106-4: Jewell 24; Higgins 2-28

Middlesex 1pt, Derbyshire 3pts

Match scorecard

Ben Aitchison's first five-wicket haul of the summer put Derbyshire in command before Middlesex's own seamers hit back on day one of their County Championship clash at Lord's.

The 26-year-old seamer exploited bowler-friendly conditions to the full to return 5-47 as the hosts, who collapsed from 66-1 to 89-6 either side of lunch, were hustled out for 177.

Rory Haydon, in only his sixth first-class game, proved a great foil from the other end with 2-60.

Middlesex, though, fought back ball in hand, Ryan Higgins leading the way with 2-28 as Derbyshire struggled to 106-4 at stumps, 71 in arrears.

Inserted under cloudy skies, Middlesex weathered the initial assault with Sam Robson striking three early boundaries.

Geddes was Robson's opening partner, having impressed in the role during the second innings of last week's win over Lancashire. There, the former Surrey batter had scored at a run a ball but this was a different proposition with Aitchison in particular making his stay an uncomfortable one.

Nevertheless, the opening stand had reached 47 when Geddes tossed his wicket away, throwing his bat at a wide long hop from former Middlesex man Martin Andersson, getting the ball on the toe end and looping it to cover.

Max Holden played one good pull shot in his brief stay, only to be undone by an Aitchison delivery which deviated a fraction to beat the inside edge and trap him lbw.

Robson had become stuck since his early flourish and he would depart eight balls later caught at slip, feeling for a widish ball from Haydon.

Immediately upon the resumption after lunch, skipper Leus du Plooy was trapped on the crease to the last ball of the afternoon's opening over bowled by Aitchison.

Higgins then edged a beauty from Haydon through to wicketkeeper Brooke Guest and when youngster Caleb Falconer played all around a straight one from Aitchison, the hosts had slumped to 89-6.