If you believe the weather forecast for the Scarborough area today, the players of Yorkshire and Essex will be arriving at North Marine Road two by two.

Rain is supposed to hit the North Yorkshire coastal town by the bucketful, and it would be a kick in the teeth for the White Rose camp if their chances of winning this County Championship fixture were wiped out with the loss of a day’s play.

If the weather forecasters are wrong, then Andrew Gale’s side are on course for their third win in five matches.

Gale put the finishing touches to his second century of the four-day campaign as the hosts were bowled out for 516 late in the afternoon of the second day.

Tino Best then steamed in with two wickets – the second was followed by an excited celebration when he just stopped short of kissing the White Rose on his chest – to help demolish the Essex top order.

Adil Rashid, Steve Patterson and Oliver Hannon-Dalby all added wickets as the visitors closed on 159-5 from 45 overs.

Gale, who scored a second innings hundred against Somerset last month, recorded 135 off 216 balls before being stumped off the left-arm spin of Tim Phillips in the morning.

Anthony McGrath was trapped lbw by David Masters without adding to his overnight 112, but Yorkshire were boosted by 62 and 61 from Jonny Bairstow and Rich Pyrah respectively.

Seamer Chris Wright (3-97) claimed three of the last four White Rose wickets to fall and Ryan ten Doeschate ended with 3-117. But their top order then fell leaving Essex needing another 208 to avoid the follow-on.