Zak Chappell and Aneurin Donald scored fifties on the opening day of a Leeds/Bradford UCCE match that was eventually abandoned due to poor light.
Explosive fifties from Chappell and Donald got Derbyshire back on track after losing early wickets in their final pre-season game before the start of the Vitality County Championship on Friday 5 April.
Mickey Arthur's side declared on 256 for 9 at tea before Leeds/Bradford UCCE was dismissed for 9 for 1.
Derbyshire lost their first two wickets inside the first 20 overs when Harry Came was caught at gully for nine and his opening partner Luis Reece was dismissed for 25.
Resuming on 68 for 2, the hosts then lost five more wickets in quick succession. Wayne Madsen was caught behind off the bowling of Charlie Dunnett before David Lloyd, Brooke Guest, Matt Lamb and Anuj Dal were all clean bowled to leave Derbyshire on 110 for 7.
Donald made 62 runs off 81 balls to help his side regain some momentum. He was the only batsman in the innings.
A watchful innings from Alex Thomson helped cement Derbyshire's chase as he kept the scoreboard ticking, while number 10 Zak Chappell continued to hit destructive shots all over the ground.
In his first over at the crease, Chappell smashed three fours and a six to take his wicket for 67 runs from just 42 balls.
Arthur and Derbyshire then declared at tea with a score of 256. Chappell once again stole the show, taking the only wicket of a short evening session.
Poor light left the umpires no choice but to call off the day's play as the visitors finished on 9 for 1.