Jamshedpur, Dec. 11: Openers Amit Kumar Singh and Sandeep Vig helped Bihar earn a first innings lead of 70 runs over Orissa on the penultimate day of the three-day under-22 match at Keenan Stadium today.

Singh and Vig added 166 runs (395 balls) for the first wicket after the home team resumed their innings this morning. The openers played confidently, going for runs from the early stage of the innings. Singh played compact cricket, using his feet well against the spinners and never attempted any lose shot. The opening wicket partnership came off 395 balls.

The two took the hosts to 79 without loss at lunch. The session after the break brought no respite to the hapless Tripura bowlers who got little purchase from the wicket. Singh reached his 50 off 146 balls which contained four boundaries, while Vig took 175 balls for his half-century. Singh edged seamer Rajshekhar Ghosh.