Manor Park continued to be a batsman's paradise on day two of the Norfolk Cricket Festival as the hosts replied with interest to Northumberland's challenging first innings score.

Those spectators who did not have access to any of Horsford's acres of canvas crowded together in whatever shade they could find on a sweltering day.

But there was no hiding place for the fielders as Norfolk racked up 401-7 in response to Northumberland's 358-7 with home batsmen James Spelman (181) and Trevor Ward (101) following the example of first day centurion Sam Jobson (123) by cashing in on the friendly conditions.

Jobson, however, is still far from finished, ending the day on 75 not out as Northumberland again took advantage of some missed catches to finish on 134-1, a lead of 91.

Spelman loves playing against Northumberland. He scored his first ever Norfolk century against them at Jesmond in 2005, got 148 not out against them on their last visit to Horsford in 2010 and yesterday played superbly to shatter his previous best championship score of 158.

In an innings lasting over five hours and 261 balls, including Sunday night, he didn't offer a chance until tiredness led to him misjudging a ball from former Durham and Sussex spinner Nick Phillips soon after he'd taken Norfolk into the lead. By then he'd shared partnerships of 110 with Ben France, who was stumped on 46 with the score at 133, and 183 with Ward, who made his 101 off 122 balls, hitting 14 fours and a six.

'I must average about 100 against these,' said Spelman, whose 30 boundaries included a wide range of shots to all part of the ground. 'Apart from the 100s I've also had at least two 50 not outs. You sometimes have these odd team you always do well against, just as you have teams you never do well against. And you do think about it. It was nice to get my personal best. It would have been good to go on to a double hundred but I can't be too greedy.

'That partnership with Ben gave us a nice platform and then we really made hay with Wardy, who batted really well and gave us that platform for the final 10 overs to get us past the 400. When you're in the field for 90 overs and they get nearly 360, to then go on and get the lead is a really good effort.'

Looking at the prospects for today, Spelman added: 'It's going to be difficult. The first half hour or so is going to be key. If we can pick up some quick wickets then you never know. If we don't it's a bit in their hands as to whether they are prepared to set us something and make a gamble.'

After Spelman had departed Peter Lambert (31) and Ryan Findlay (22) both scored rapidly.

Callum Taylor's debut innings lasted only five balls before he holed out in the deep for two, but the 16-year-old had his magic moment when his brilliant throw led to the run out of Daniel Young – Norfolk's only success when Northumberland batted again.

'Callum went in in a difficult position with only a few overs to go but, unselfishly he tried to up the scoring rate and got caught at long on, so that shows a bit about the bloke,' said Norfolk skipper Chris Brown.

'He'll get more opportunities, certainly.'

Norfolk v Northumberland, day 2

Manor Park

Overnight: Northumberland 358-7 (S Jobson 123, D Young 69, A Cragg 66, J Coyne 57); Norfolk 44-1

Norfolk 1st innings continue

JM Spelman b Phillips 181

BJ France st Cragg b Coyne 46

TR Ward c Young b Coyne 101

PA Lambert c Phillips b Coyne 31

CJ Taylor c Harding b Coyne 2

RJ Findlay not out 22

KJ Bunting c Cant b Phillips 1

JS Blake not out 1

Extras 11

Total (for 7 wkts, 90 overs) 401

Fall: 1-23 2-133 3-316 4-367 5-374 6-381 7-395

Bowling: Harding 19-6-86-0, Stanyon 11-3-34-1, Phillips 30-7-94-2, Morse 5-2-25-0, Coyne 13-0-95-4, Cant 8-1-38-0, Young 4-0-25-0

Northumberland 2nds innings

DR Young run out (Taylor/Blake) 17

S Jobson not out 75

J Jessup not out 39

Extras 3

Total (for 1 wkt, 41 overs) 134

Fall: 1-40

Bowling: Eccles 10-2-39-0, Bunting 9-1-32-0, Brown 11-6-23-0, Findlay 5-0-14-0, France 6-1-24-0