A century from Tom Moores, complimented by 60 from Will Gidman, ensured Nottinghamshire’s Seconds go in to day three of the Second Eleven Championship final in a strong position, with a lead of 52.

The day began with Nottinghamshire resuming on 57-2, Anuj Dal and Sam Wood continuing in pursuit of Middlesex’s first innings score of 254.

Middlesex, and Harry Podmore in particular, had other ideas as the pace bowler added to his two wickets from the night previous when Wood was caught behind for 17.

The introduction of spin in the form of Nathan Sowter accounted for Dal soon after, trapped LBW for 31 in the leg-spinners first over.

That brought together Notts’ crucial pairing of Moores and Gidman, the pair wrestling back the advantage and going through to lunch unscathed.

Gidman raced to a 58-ball fifty as Notts added 99 in the first session, the all-rounder adding 50 inside just 13 overs with the 19-year-old keeper.

Despite playing a supporting role in the first session, the rest of the day and Notts’ 77-run first innings lead belonged to Moores, a knock that captain Paul Franks thought was crucial.

“It was a good day today, pleasing for Tom to go on and get a century then end the day with a wicket that keeps us with a decent lead,” Franks said.

“In a perfect scenario we would have still been batting at the end of the day but we are in a strong position and now we need to build on that.”

Anchoring the Notts reply around the loss of Gidman (60), Tillcock (24) and Keast (12), Moores ensured his side had a slender lead going in to tea.

Alongside captain Paul Franks, Moores guided Notts past the 300 mark before Middlesex’s star man, Podmore, returned to strike in consecutive deliveries.

First he bowled Franks for 19 to wrap up his five-wicket haul before securing figures of 6-90 when Luke Fletcher was LBW off his first delivery.

Ben Kitt came out to keep Moores company, helping add 34 for the last wicket as the latter brought up a battling century with a flick over the leg side.

Moores was the last man to fall, caught behind for 107 as Notts were all out for 331, a first innings lead of 77.

The remaining ten overs gave Notts further chances to press home their advantage and Matt Carter did just that, removing Max Holden for five in the penultimate over, Middlesex closing on 25-1, still 52 adrift.

 

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