Ben Twohig came within one run of notching his first century for Worcestershire Seconds who continued to dominate the Second Eleven Championship clash with Leicestershire at Oakham School.
The County all-rounder helped his side move from 104-0 overnight to 374 all out on day two – a first innings lead of 123.
Then Charlie Morris and Chris Russell picked up a wicket apiece as Leicestershire closed on 44-2 in their second innings, still 79 adrift of making Worcestershire bat again.
Twohig struck one six and 11 fours in his 150 ball knock before he was caught by keeper Ned Eckersley.
It surpassed his previous best score for the Seconds of 89 in the three-day friendly with Hampshire at Kidderminster in the final game of last season.
Twohig was given excellent support in a sixth wicket stand of 113 with Ben Tegg which lifted Worcestershire from 229-6 into a healthy lead.
Skipper George Rhodes added only a single to his overnight 56 but fellow opener Ollie Westbury completed his half century.
There were also useful contributions from keeper Alex Milton (33) and Zen Malik (25)
WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS – first innings
Rhodes* c Ali b Sheikh 57
Westbury c Hill b Hurt 54
Kervezee c Taylor b Barrett 7
Hepburn c Ali b Hurt 8
Milton+ lbw b Sayer 33
Malik lbw b Hurt 25
Twohig c Eckersley b Wells 99
Tegg bowled Wells 38
Russell c Taylor b Sayer 17
Morris c Hill b Wells 1
King not out 0
Extras 35
Total (all out) 374
FOW: 115, 130, 149, 154, 196, 229, 342, 359, 363, 374
Bowling
Sheikh 17-6-34-1
Barrett 8-3-19-1
Wells 26-6-71-3
Hurt 23-6-63-3
Sykes 13-0-43-0
Sayer 26-8-76-2
Tillcock 5-0-29-0
Hill 2-0-15-0 Ali 2-0-7-0
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LEICESTERSHIRE SECONDS – second innings
Eckersley c Milton b Russell 2
Dearden c King b Morris 3
Hill not out 7
Ali not out 28
Extras 4
TOTAL (for 2 wickets) 44
FOW: 5, 7
Bowling
Morris 5-2-19-1
Russell 5-2-9-1
King 3-1-12-0
Hepburn 2-1-3-0
