Booth captain Robert Laycock is cautiously optimistic that his side can finish the job and lift the Parish Cup at Blackley on Sunday.
The showpiece game of the season in the Foster’s Halifax League was hit by bad weather last weekend with only 56 of the possible 90 overs being bowled between rain breaks.
However, the Broadfold Park side were left feeling happy with their efforts, having totalled 290 for five and then taken the wicket of prolific runmaker Andrew Pinfield as league leaders Lane made 56 for one off 11 overs in reply.
“It is evenly poised and much will depend on the weather and how it affects the wicket,” said Laycock.
“However, we’ve got a good score on the board - we’d have taken that at 1.30.”
Booth will be without Andrew Truscott but his teammates may only need seven more wickets as Lane are likely to be lacking wicketkeeper Graham Sivyer and Paul Chapman.
Chapman is unbeaten on 25, having made his way to crease following last Sunday’s second rain stoppage when Raqueeb Younis retired temporarily with what Lane said was an ankle ligament injury sustained while bowling.
If Booth have one regret from last weekend it might be that dangerous youngster Jordan Laban’s game is not over.
He offered a chance behind to Steven Butterworth in the final over but the ball didn’t stick in the ‘keeper’s gloves.
Truscott, meanwhile, has already left his mark as Booth had made good use of an inviting wicket after Rob Laycock had won the toss.
After a false start - there was a 20-minute hold-up after one over - openers Patrick Thomas and Chris Shannon set the tone for some fluent batting with an opening stand of 82 in 19 overs.
Thomas survived one loud shot for caught behind off Nasir Chowdrey but eventually perished for an attractive 47.
Shannon, much improved as a batsman, went on to make 79 off 67 balls and added 67 in 10 overs with Truscott.
Shannon departed to a smart catch on the boundary by Johnny Lister and fellow left-hander Richard Laycock (24) holed out at long-on to became spinner Junior Williams’ third victim with the total on 189 in the 36th over.
Truscott was in full stride by now, cashing in on a drop by Nabil Khan to reach his half-century off 43 balls.
Robert Laycock (10) was not so lucky - Khan clung on this time on the square leg boundary - and John Potkins (8) also departed in the quest for quick runs.
Truscott ensured Booth set an imposing total with some sturdy hitting, Nigel Horsfall (22 no) helping to plunder 56 off the last five overs.
Andrew Pinfield’s thick edge behind in the second over was not the start Lane had wanted and they were eight for one after three overs before a 45-minute rain break.
Chapman and Laban added 48 in eight overs to suggest that while Lane may face a tough task on Sunday, it is not an impossible one.
Booth v Jer Lane
BOOTH 290 for five
C.Shannon c Lister b Williams 79
P.Thomas c Younis b Williams 47
A.Truscott not out 87
Ric Laycock c Waddington b Williams 24
Rob Laycock c Khan b Chowdrey 10
J.Potkins c Hustler b Khan 8
N.Horsfall not out 20
Extras 15
Bowling: N.Chowdrey 9-0-74-1, J.Lister 9-2-27-0, N.Khan 9-1-61-1, J.Williams 9-1-43-3, M.Hustler 5-0-40-0, R.Younis 4-0-32-0.
JER LANE 56 for one
A.Pinfield c Thomas b Collinge 0
R.Younis retired hurt 3
J.Laban not out 25
P.Chapman not out 25
Extras 3
Bowling: Ric Laycock 4-1-17-0, O.Collinge 5-0-31-1, A.Truscott 2-0-5-0.