Day Three at the County Ground and Derbyshire's initial objective was to secure two batting points. Ross Whiteley drives this Tomlinson delivery for 4 en route to a fine undefeated 57 in almost 3 hours and ensured that Derbyshire reached a first innings total of 275 all out

In a season which has seen a number of young cricketers come to the fore for Derbyshire, it was appropriate that Ross Whiteley and Tom Poynton - both graduates of the Derbyshire Academy - should have added a crucial 64 runs for the 8th wicket to ensure Derbyshire remained in contention to win the 2nd division title

Poynton drives Griffiths through the covers during his vital 64-run stand with Whiteley

Carberry falls cheaply to Palladino for the second time in the match as he edges this delivery to Poynton to get Derbyshire off to a fine start in the Hampshire 2nd innings

Palladino is congratulated by his colleagues having removed Carberry - his 56th wicket of a superb championship season

Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams feathers this Groenewald delivery down the legside to 'keeper Poynton and Hampshire are 16-2 in the 10th over

Tom Poynton celebrates the dismissal of Adams. The Derbyshire wicket-keeper went on to take 4 catches in the innings to date on Thursday

Captain Wayne Madsen encourages his opening bowler Tim Groenewald during the Hampshire 2nd innings. Groenewald has taken 63 wickets in all cricket in 2012 to date; the most by any Derbyshire bowler

Dawson edges this Mark Turner delivery and will be caught behind the wicket by Poynton

Derbyshire's slip cordon celebrate the fall of Dawson's wicket

Vince, Hampshire's first innings centurion was given a torrid time by Mark Turner - including this vicious lifting delivery

Vince drives this Wainwright delivery straight back to the bowler

Derbyshire's fielders congratulate Wainwright on the dismissal of Vince

Ervine is rapped on the pads to give Ross Whiteley his first wicket of the innings

Whiteley appeals successfully for LBW against Ervine. Derbyshire's young all-rounder, 24 today, enjoyed a happy birthday with a half century and 2 wickets

Whiteley finds the edge of Bates' bat and the ball is on its way to Poynton as Hampshire are reduced to 134-6. Whiteley finished the day with bowling figures of 5-2-6-2

Derbyshire's players are all smiles as they leave the field at the close of play on the third day. They know their promotion prospects are good, but are yet to find out the result of the game in Cardiff between Glamorgan and Kent

Tony Palladino receives the Elizabeth Flintoff Memorial Trophy from Alan Flintoff after being voted the Derbyshire members player of the year for 2012

Tony Palladino with the trophy and 'Dino'

Karl Krikken cannot stop smiling as he discovers that the news from Cardiff is all good...Glamorgan's victory over Kent means that Derbyshire will be playing Division One cricket in 2013 for the first time since 2000

Coach Krikken and captain Wayne Madsen are all smiles at the close of play on Thursday

Madsen and Krikken are joined by Tony Palladino

More smiles from Whiteley, Redfern, Khawaja, Madsen and Krikken

We did it!!!! Now for the title tomorrow.....

Karl Krikken enjoys a well-earned drink at the close of play on Thursday

The players have all left, and Karl Krikken is left to reflect on a marvellous season, surrounded by kit and knowing that with one day of the season left, his side can lift the 5th trophy in the club's history with victory over Hampshire on the final day