Sussex Select piled on the pressure on Day 2 of their three-day game against Ireland "A" on Wednesday as the hosts closed overnight with a lead of 212 and 8 second innings wickets still intact.

The visitors began the second day on 19 for 2 chasing 245 for 8 declared but it looked a long road as Nial McDonnell, James Hall, Andre Botha and John Mooney all failed to land a telling blow as Ireland slumped to 65 for 6. Fortunately Andrew Poynter was able to dig in, the Clontarf player continuing his excellent run of form with the bat with an impressive 66 although the supporting cast were much less prolific.

Poynter and "Mr Extras" contributed over 100 of Ireland's 178 all out as Lewis Hatchett and James Thorpe shared the bowling honours for Sussex with 3 for 39 from 16 and 3 for 29 from 10 respectively.

That left the home side with a 67 run start to their second innings and Michael Norris and Michael Thornley cemented the advantage with an 80-run first wicket stand before the latter was out for 40. Norris continued where he left off yesterday, completing his second half century of the match on his way to an unbeaten 56 as Sussex reached stumps on 145 for 2.

Ireland's Craig Young was unable to take any part in the second innings having strained his side but it would appear likely that the hosts will only bat for one session anyway when play starts on the final day at 10 am on Thursday. Staving off defeat now looks the best hope for Ireland but they will have to bat a lot better second time around if that is to happen.

Sussex XI 1st innings 245-8 dec (O Rayner 120, M Norris 53)

Ireland A 1st Innings 
(overnight 19-2)
J Hall b Hatchett 14
N McDonnell lbw Hatchett 11
A Botha c Adkin b Thorpe 6
J Mooney c Jackson b Adkin 11
A Poynter c Machin b Thorpe 66
A van der Merwe c Jackson b Rollings 19
G Kidd b Thorpe 3
E Richardson b Adkin 6
C Young not out 1
Extras (8b 9lb 3w 18nb) 38
Total (60.5 overs) 178


Fall: 1-3 2-13 3-36 4-41 5-49 6-65 7-142 8-159 9-174

Bowling: Hatchett 16-3-39-3 Aga 4-2-6-1, Thorpe 10-3-29-3, Adkin 9.5-1-30-2, 
M Chadwick 7-2-15-0, Rayner 5-2-12-0, Norris 2-0-12-0, Rollings 7-2-18-1

Sussex XI 2nd Innings
M Thornley c McCann b Mooney 40
M Norris not out 56
Lowery lbw van der Merwe 14
Machin not out 21
Extras (2b 8lb 4nb) 14
Total (49 overs, two wickets) 145

Fall: 1-80 2-119

Bowling: Mooney 14-4-41-1, Eaglestone 8-1-27-0, van der Merwe 18-6-39-1, 
Richardson 4-0-13-0, Kidd 5-0-15-0

Play resumes at 10am.

Young missing from action with strained side