YORKSHIRE’S Adam Lyth moved to within 14 runs of a fourth Roses first-class career century during a weather-affected but entertaining day two of the Bob Willis Trophy clash with Lancashire at Emerald Headingley.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance during an uninterrupted morning, which saw Yorkshire advance their first innings from eight to 53 without loss before slipping to 78 for four, including two wickets in three balls for all-rounder Danny Lamb.

No play was possible between 2.15pm and 4.45pm, with the hosts later advancing their first innings from 98 for four after 36 overs to close on 178 for six from 66. Lyth reached 86 not out off 197 balls.

Day one saw 87 overs lost to rain, with a further 35 lost during day two, meaning the chances of either side winning this penultimate round North Group fixture are slim.

A draw would be far more damaging to Lancashire – third in the North and 22 points off top spot prior to this fixture. Yorkshire were second and only two points behind Northern leaders Derbyshire.

When day two began, Yorkshire advanced quickly.

Lyth, who survived a huge lbw appeal from Tom Bailey on nought and being bowled off a no-ball, fed on some leg-side bowling from Red Rose debutant George Burrows, who he pulled for a six added to seven boundaries in his lunch-time 45.

Lyth shared a half-century opening partnership with Tom Kohler-Cadmore (18), only for Yorkshire’s position of strength to slip away during the second half of the morning in bowler-friendly conditions.

Of Lancashire’s four front-line seamers, Bailey, 29, is the only one with significant experience given he is playing his 60th first-class game.

The others, Burrows, Lamb and George Balderson, had only nine previous first-class appearances between them coming into this fixture.

But they all contributed to an impressive fightback. Burrows looked nervy, but bustling seamers Lamb and Balderson built significant pressure.

Bailey (one for 27 from 18 overs) made the initial breakthrough when he had Kohler-Cadmore smartly caught low down at first slip by Keaton Jennings in the eleventh over.

Lamb replaced Bailey at the Emerald Stand End and had Will Fraine caught behind for five and Tom Loten lbw for nought as the White Rose slipped to 61 for three in the 17th over.

There was further damage done courtesy of Burrows, who returned for his second spell – his first five overs cost him 35 – at the Kirkstall Lane End and had almost instantly claimed his first career wicket.

Three balls into the 24th over, Harry Brook (six) cut a short and wide delivery to Josh Bohannon at point, leaving the hosts 78 for four.

Jennings dropped Jonny Tattersall on one at first slip, and there was only enough time for three overs to be bowled in the afternoon before rain.

At that point, wicketless Balderson had only conceded seven runs in eight overs.

Lyth reached his 50 shortly after the evening resumption at 4.45pm, off 130 balls with eight fours and his six off Burrows.

It represented the former England left-hander’s seventh score of 50 or more in 14 Roses first-class appearances.

Lyth and wicketkeeper batsman Tattersall steadied the hosts after the loss of those four quick morning wickets with a fifth-wicket stand of 61.

But Jennings atoned for the earlier drop when his part-time medium pacers claimed the scalp of Tattersall for 25, caught at first slip by Steven Croft on the drive as the score fell to 139 for five in the 52nd.

Lyth later pulled a second six off Lamb, only to lose another partner in Jordan Thompson as Burrows bowled him off an inside-edge as he tried to leave alone (164 for six in the 62nd over).

Lyth said: “It was quite tough out there. To be fair, if they’d have bowled a bit better with the new ball, it could have been tougher. But we got off to a bit of a flyer and scored at five an over.

“They then pegged it back really, really well with some tight lines and good lengths.

“That was probably a bit of inexperience from their debutant (Burrows), but he bowled well after that. Hats off to him. Bailey at the other end, he’s always a challenge on any pitch.

“We got ourselves into great positions and lost wickets at key times. Hopefully tomorrow myself and George (Hill) can start well and get some partnerships together and get some batting points.”