Sam Arthurton's unbeaten 166 helped Norfolk to completely dominate day two of their Unicorns Minor Counties Championship match against Bedfordshire at Manor Park.

The second match of the Norfolk Festival of Cricket started with both teams searching for their first three-day victory of the season – and Norfolk may have revived their chance to do just that.

The home side started day two on 81-1 after five quick wickets bowled Beds out for 298, having previously stood at 285-6.

That momentum seemed to still be fresh in the Norfolk players' minds yesterday morning and they set about chasing down their target.

Great Witchingham batsman Sam Arthurton – who missed the 10-wicket home defeat to Cumberland last week – in particular seemed to be in a good mood.

He began the day on 27 alongside opener James Spelman, who was on 42.

Spelman fell early, for 47, to leave Norfolk at 89-2 but Arthurton went on to bat for the rest of his side's innings and was still unbeaten on 166 when stand-in skipper Garry Park decided to declare at 351-9.

Park, still covering for injured captain Chris Brown, built a partnership of 80 with Arthurton before he fell for 26.

Youngster Lewis Denmark also supported Arthurton ably, building a partnership of 69 before he was dismissed for 31.

Andy Reynoldson then took four wickets to slow Norfolk's progress and eventually saw the home side declare with a lead of 53 runs at 351-9.

Arthurton's knock of 166 was the 22-year-old's highest Minor Counties Championship score.

Beds are due to start their second innings at 10.30am today, with a minimum of 110 overs in the day, weather permitting.