Jaik Mickleburgh again top-scored as Suffolk stepped up their bid for the Minor Counties Championship Eastern Division crown, against title challengers Cambridgeshire on day two at Saffron Walden today.

The match is intriguingly poised, going into tomororw’s final day, with neither side really having the edge.

But second-placed Suffolk and fourth-placed Cambs will gain heart from the frustration of leaders Lincolnshire – no play was possible on day two of their match away at Cumberland.

In reply to Suffolk’s first innings total of 232, which was built around a fine 78 from Mickleburgh, Cambridgeshire secured a slender lead of 21 thanks to their tail wagging.

Ollie Bocking impressed by taking four wickets, although having restricted their hosts to 194 for eight, still 38 runs behind, the last two wickets added a precious 59 runs to leave Suffolk with a small deficit to wipe off.

Captain Adam Mansfield was dismissed while the deficit was still in place, bowled by James Sykes, the former Leicestershire slow left-armer, who followed up his superb figures of seven for 82 in the first innings with another impressive stint of bowling.

Sykes ended the day with figures of 30-7-99-5, and so a total of 12 wickets in the match.

Mickleburgh and Frinton captain Kyran Young (26) put on 66 for the second wicket, and former Essex stalwart Mickleburgh went on to make 70, off 130 balls, when he was the fourth wicket to fall with the total on 145. His innings included nine boundaries.

Like in Cambridgeshire’s first innings, several Suffolk batsmen got themselves in, before being dismissed in their twenties.

That was the case with Sudbury’s Martyn Cull (26), Copdock & OI’s Jed Cawkwell (25) and Mildenhall’s Ben Sheppperson (29).

Suffolk ended the day on 212 for eight, a lead of 191 with two wickets remaining.

The current league positions sees Lincolnshire just one point ahead of Suffolk. Five counties remain in the title race going into the final day, with Cambs, Staffs and Buckinghamshire all in the frame.