Keen to overcome an opponent that has grossly frustrated it in each of the last two Finals of this competition, Victoria only encountered more annoyance on the second day of the Pura Cup match against Queensland at Punt Road in Melbourne today. On another day of variable weather, the Bushrangers made heavy weather of their ambitions, struggling to restrict two of the Bulls' tailenders before being forced to turn their pursuit of first innings points into something less than a speedy one.

By stumps on a day extended by 22 minutes to compensate for time lost to the elements yesterday, the Victorians were placed at 3/160 as they responded to Queensland's 417.

That the Bushrangers were not in a more favourable position owed much to the batting of Ashley Noffke (73) and Nathan Hauritz (41), each of whom registered their highest first-class scores in the course of adding a thoroughly unexpected 105 runs for the Bulls' ninth wicket.

Admittedly, it was Hauritz's debut at this level and Noffke is no veteran either, having played just ten matches prior to this one. But it is hard to imagine either exceeding these new individual watermarks in a hurry.

Their stand, fashioned from the ruin of a potentially crucial early blow as Matthew Hayden (147) was defeated by a Mathew Inness (2/71) inswinger, was as significant for its intelligent punishment of the loose ball as it was in inducing annoyance for the home team.

Noffke was particularly severe on anything erring in length or width, even thumping Test off spinner Colin Miller (1/108) high over the leg side for two boundaries and a six from consecutive deliveries at one stage. More importantly, he also discovered the right balance between attacking and defending.

Hauritz lost little by comparison. He played watchfully through the early stages of his innings, accumulating most of his runs from subtle pushes into the off side and glances off his legs, but became more expansive as his stay at the crease wore on to strike several drives and cuts off the back foot with commanding intent.

The home side's cause, all the while, was not being helped by the sight of catches being dropped: Matthew Elliott missing a chance to dismiss Hauritz at mid wicket at 11 and Shane Warne grassing an opportunity to catch Noffke (then on 34) at slip.

As it began the reply, Victoria made sufficiently steady progress.

There was a setback as Jason Arnberger (20) failed to fully capitalise on Jimmy Maher's mistake in grassing a waist-high chance to his left at second slip, only adding another ten runs to his score before slogging an off break to mid on and handing Hauritz (1/35) his maiden first-class wicket.

Yet the total reached 1/84 at one stage nonetheless, and the Bushrangers' upper order batsmen looked to be finding life as comfortable on the pitch as their rivals had done yesterday.

But once Andy Bichel (1/36) found the thin outside edge of the bat of Elliott (56), Queensland was successfully able to take the home team back to the trenches. Victoria's scoring rate was reduced to little more than a trickle at various stages of the afternoon, as few as 39 runs coming from 22 overs during one period. Nearly half of the overs bowled to this stage of the innings have been maidens.

Notwithstanding this, Brad Hodge (39*) enhanced his already lofty reputation with several beautifully crafted strokes amid gradually fading light. On his shoulders, there will rest hopes of better things for Victoria tomorrow.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd