Led by centuries from Darren Berry (148) and Jon Moss (109), bottom-placed Victoria has continued to torment New South Wales on the second day of the teams' Pura Cup clash here in Sydney today. The pair's 199-run partnership left the Blues - who were 2/82 at stumps and still trailing by 167 runs overall - facing a long haul to restore parity in the game.

Berry's only first-class centuries have been made against New South Wales, and Moss is a player who the Blues' selectors did not consider to be worthy of a spot in the state's second eleven before he moved south last season.

Barely, therefore, could two batsmen have been better hand-picked to cause frustration to the New South Wales attack.

Also posing problems for the New South Welshmen was the inability of their bowlers to exploit the same life from the pitch that had incited the riotous surrender of 15 wickets yesterday.

Just seven fell in total today, as the Bushrangers amassed a first innings total of 358 and secured a 249-run lead.

Instrumental in the establishment of their position of strength was the batting of Berry and Moss. They had been joined with Victoria in peril at 5/50 yesterday and it wasn't until after lunch today that they were eventually separated - Moss shouldering arms at burly paceman Don Nash (4/59) to lose his off stump.

Berry - who received further support toward the end of the innings from belligerent tailender Michael Lewis (54*) - fell much later in the middle session as he drove at the left arm spin of Mark Higgs (1/19) and feathered a catch to opposite number Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

"I made a conscious decision to always try to play well against New South Wales," said Berry of the production of his fourth first-class century against the Blues.

"I really value the contests between the two states.

"We've always had really good tussles; it has been really competitive between us since I (first) played and I really try and dig in against them."

Matters became so grim for the New South Welshmen that, even when things looked to be turning their way, they didn't end so well.

Nash produced a brilliant spell in mid-afternoon to remove Moss and Ian Hewett (3) but then left the field halfway through an over after straining muscles in his side. It is hoped that he may be able to return to the field tomorrow.

His replacement - Andrew Staunton, a local club cricketer - was then in the wars himself, crashing on his right shoulder while fielding and needing extensive treatment from physio Pat Farhart.

Fast bowler Stuart Clark (5/75) eventually terminated the Victorian innings on the stroke of a slightly-delayed tea.

But opener Brett van Deinsen (8) added to the succession of forgettable incidents as he chased a delivery from Hewett (1/21) that he would have been better advised to leave altogether. Brad Hodge jubilantly accepted a catch as the right hander edged the ball toward him at second slip.

Corey Richards (38) and Greg Mail (26*) offered a long-overdue sense of stability as they combined in the Blues' best partnership of the match before the former lost his wicket to a controversial lbw decision. Richards played well forward with a defensive stroke but fatally incurred the wrath of umpire Jim Cameron as leg spinner Bryce McGain (1/13) appealed with excellent reward to obtain his maiden first-class wicket.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd