Hawke's Bay are going to have to pull off a sensational batting effort tomorrow morning if they are to come back and claim the Hawke Cup from Hamilton.

The final day of the three-day at Galloway Park will start with Hawke's Bay 117/5 in their second innings, only 80 runs in front with five wickets in hand.

Should the match be drawn Hamilton will claim the game and Cup on the first innings.

Hawke's Bay's only hope is to score runs aplenty tomorrow morning and then bowl Hamilton out cheaply in the afternoon.

Craig Findlay, the former Central Districts representative was two not out at stumps this evening but with the top order gone it was shaping as a tough task.

Richard Kinnear backed his first innings 55 by scoring 29 and Richard Lawrence scored 27.

Simon Andrews, who took three for 31 in the first innings, has two for 28 in the second while Bruce Martin followed his first innings three for 43 with two for 44 today.

The Hatwell brothers, Brooke and Jaden, played key roles in Hamilton taking the first innings advantage by scoring 57 and 52 respectively for their side.

© CricInfo