Richard Pyrah, took some important steps forward in his Yorkshire career towards the end of last season - and now he has gone on to scale the heights.

But his cricket ambitions still remain to be fully realised because his recent rapid climb up the ladder has been on to the rooftops of houses and industrial buildings around Ossett, which is where he has lived all his life.

"I have spent the last three winters playing club cricket in New Zealand but this year I thought I would stay at home and concentrate on improving my fitness," said the 22-year-old right-hand batsman and medium-pace bowler.

"I did a friend a favour by joining his business and starting work as a roofer and the first thing I had to do was conquer my fear of heights.

"I had always been frightened of looking down but I've managed to control it and now I've seen some great views across Yorkshire.

"And there's no doubt that all the climbing up and down has made me feel really fit. My leg muscles are stronger than they have ever been and I hope all the exercise stands me in good stead next season."

The fact that Pyrah managed to conquer his fear of heights so quickly will not surprise those Yorkshire fans who saw him make his Championship debut against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay last August because as soon as he walked to the crease with Yorkshire on the verge of a crisis he displayed guts galore.

On a rain-affected pitch and in almost impossible playing conditions, Pyrah found himself up against England pace ace Simon Jones, who was showing aggressive intent on his return from injury and wanting to prove to everyone that he had lost none of his menace.

One nasty short-pitched delivery from Jones came whistling out of the gloom and slammed into Pyrah's protective helmet but when the next ball was also an intended bouncer he got behind it and pulled it viciously through mid-wicket for four.

Jones soon realised that the rookie batsman was not going to be intimidated and just for good measure Pyrah helped himself to a couple more crisp boundaries off the England man.

At close of play, Pyrah had made a gallant unbeaten 25 and that was where the game ended because the final day, like the first two, fell victim to a rain-soaked ground.

"I kept wondering if the game would ever get started after the first two days had been lost to the weather but when we did begin our innings we lost a few early wickets and it meant I got in a bit earlier than I expected," said Pyrah.

"I was a touch nervous at first but Jones and his Glamorgan team-mates all had a bit of a mutter that here was a newcomer coming in and it made me more determined than ever. When Jones hit me on the head I said to myself that if he also pitched the next one short I would go for it and that is exactly what happened."

Yorkshire had three Championship matches still to play after their visit to Wales and Pyrah held on to his place, getting into the 30s in each of them and showing what a clean striker of the ball he is. He ended the season with 158 Championship runs for a creditable average of 26.33.

He also wrapped up the totesport League season in style by playing a significant part in Yorkshire Phoenix's three-wicket win over Durham Dynamos at Scarborough by claiming 2-17 in five accurate overs and then making a rapid 42, which included three scorching boundaries in one over from spinner Graeme Bridge to put the result beyond doubt.

Pyrah virtually grew up at Ossett Cricket Club, where both his dad and grand-dad had long careers, and he turned out regularly for them until he was awarded a scholarship by Yorkshire and invited to play for their Academy side in the Yorkshire League.

After two years with the Academy, he had a season with Cleckheaton in the Bradford League before joining Woodlands where he still plays when free of Yorkshire commitments.

He first came into the Yorkshire Second XI three years ago but for much of the time had to bat in the lower middle order with the likes of Gary Fellows and Gavin Hamilton going in above him and this meant that on occasions he was called upon more as a bowler than a batsman.

Last season, however, he got more opportunities and bumped up his batting average beyond the 50 mark.

Now that Pyrah has tasted first-team cricket, he is keen to do everything he can to hold on to his place although he is aware that he will have to fight hard.

"I know that Craig White and Anthony McGrath will be with us regularly next season and that we will have two overseas players in Phil Jaques and Ian Harvey, but I still think there will be one or two batting spots up for grabs," he said.

"Whoever gets runs early on will probably clinch a regular place and so I will be looking for some big scores as well as taking a few wickets.

"I feel sure Yorkshire will do much better next season and I think that there are plenty of talented players at the club like Joe Sayers, Andrew Gale, Mark Lawson and Nick Thornicroft. We are gaining experience all the time and the future looks very promising."

Pyrah has already made it to the very top during the winter-time. Now he is determined to do so in the summer as well.

Updated: 10:49 Saturday, January 08, 2005