Staffordshire and Suffolk have set up a potentially thrilling conclusion to their NCCA Championship Division One East encounter.
A topsy-turvy second day at Stafford ended with the visitors on 180-2 to take a lead of 108 into the final day of the contest.
That leaves both teams contemplating a fine day three as they chase a victory which could be integral to either title or survival chances in the division.
The opening day had been an intriguing one for cricket lovers – and the second day offered more of the same as Staffs and Suffolk both produced some traditional minor counties cricket on another warm day in the county town.
And while what happens tomorrow remains unpredictable, there was something highly predictable about today’s action.
‘Hill marks occasion’
That was Michael Hill celebrating his 50th NCCA Championship appearance for the county with a century – his 12th in three-day cricket for Staffordshire.
Hill compiled a superb 116 not out as Staffordshire managed to establish a 72-run first-innings lead after declaring on 349-6 with two balls of their 90 overs remaining.
Reeve Evitts, fresh from his 172 at Lincolnshire in the last match, carried on that form with 85 as he put on 152 for the fourth wicket with Hill.
The platform for Hill and Evitts to take centre stage had been provided by opener Matt Morris and Tom Moulton early in the day.
Morris made 44, while Moulton compiled 52 as they look to gradually grind down the Suffolk attack.
Morris and Moulton had resumed on 79-1 as Staffordshire replied to Suffolk’s 277 all out on day one.
With maximum bowling points in the bag, it was now a case of replicating that on the batting front.
Just as vital, though, was ensuring that some sort of lead was developed on a wicket which has been showing signs of slow turn.
‘On the charge’
The pair saw off the first half-hour, but were parted in the 10th over of the day.
Left-hander Morris looked to take the attack to spinner Tom Harper, but failed to connect when he danced down the wicket and was stumped by Ronnie McKenna.
Moulton brought up his half-century, but his innings came to an end from the 139th delivery of his knock.
Day One report: Staffordshire and Suffolk both satisfied with opening efforts
He was somewhat surprised by a bit of extra bounce from seamer Rajan Singh and he nicked a cut shot through to McKenna.
Still, at 140-3, Staffordshire had two in-form batsmen at the crease in Evitts and Hill.
This was a key partnership for the hosts and the pair managed to navigate their way to 210-3 from 70 overs at lunch.
The primary target was still 325 for the four batting points on offer and then see what overs they had left to put their foot down.
Evitts, buoyed by that huge hundred at Cleethorpes, upped the ante as he went through his range of shots, including some fine improvisation.
‘Falling short’
So he will have been slightly disappointed to depart in the closing stages of innings.
Having hit 11 fours – and being within 15 runs of back-to-back tons – he misjudged a slower ball full toss from seamer Singh (4-79) and was bowled.
Callum Hawkins fell quickly in the chase for runs, but Liam Hurt helped Hill to steer Staffordshire to their full haul of bonus points.
And intertwined in that successful mission was another century for Hill.
The left-hander was his usual classy self and paced his innings superbly as has been his batting template throughout his county career.
Hurt blasted a rapid 16 before he was caught – and skipper James Kettleborough pulled the plug just before the end to prevent Suffolk from gaining anymore bonus points.
Hill, having hit 11 fours and four sixes, walked off to a big ovation from the appreciative crowd.
‘Spin is key’
Staffordshire would have loved to have taken a wicket or two with them into the tea interval.
But either side of it, they couldn’t quite find consistent lines and lengths, while several edges squirted through third man.
Kettleborough turned to spin to try to break the opening partnership between Jack Beaumont and Darren Ironside.
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And it paid off with the score on 64 – and Suffolk still eight runs behind – as Beaumont was bowled by Brett for 40.
Ironside was joined by Ben Parker and the duo took the visitors into the lead with a 44-run alliance.
But Parker saw his stay come to an end when he was the victim of a sharp piece of glovework by Hawkins.
Parker (25) slightly overbalanced in playing forward to Brett – and Hawkins did the rest by whipping off the bails to execute a stumping.
They were to be only successes enjoyed by Staffordshire in the evening, though.
‘Digging deep’
Ironside, happy to play the anchor role, was joined by George Rhodes as they guided Suffolk to the close of play.
Ironside will resume tomorrow morning on 56, with Rhodes nicely settled on 43.
It’s an exciting prospect that all three results remain possible.
Staffordshire will be hoping that some quick wickets on day three could open the door, while Suffolk have their thoughts trained on what sort of target they could possibly set.
And with a result looking likely in the match between Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, the stakes have just increased.
Hopefully the weather gods stay kind on what could turn out to be a momentous day of NCCA cricket.
Main image: Michael Hill scored 116 not out for Staffordshire on the second day against Suffolk at Stafford.
