YORKSHIRE saved their best until last against Durham at Riverside yesterday when Richard Dawson and Deon Kruis earned a couple of batting points with a tenth wicket partnership of 75, writes David Warner.

It took Yorkshire's total to 254 which was comparative riches after being 107-6.

Durham also found themselves under pressure and they closed an eventful first day between the top two sides in the Championship's Second Division on 65-3.

Dawson held things together after coming in at No 8 with the innings fading away.

By the time he was last out, lbw to Australian Mick Lewis, who finished with 4-77, Dawson had made 86 and was just one run short of his career-best score which he achieved against Kent three years' ago.

Yorkshire were 179-9 when Dawson was joined by Kruis who ended unbeaten on 37 from 32 balls with five fours and a six.

With heavy showers always skirting the ground, spectators were fortunate that only nine overs were lost to the weather.

Yorkshire made a poor start to their innings but Michael Lumb, back in Championship action, spent 36 overs carefully accumulating 28 and there was yet another fine cameo from Ismail Dawood who made 25.

The game seemed to be slipping even further away from Yorkshire as Hussey and Jon Lewis got Durham off to a rapid start with 45 coming off the first 11 overs.

But Tim Bresnan bowled Hussey with his first delivery and in his next over he trapped Lewis lbw. It became three wickets in four overs as Kruis bowled Paul Collingwood.

Updated: 09:19 Saturday, May 21, 2005