The end of June marked the half-way stage of the season for Yorkshire in the Championship and the totesport League and after a shaky start in both competitions they are now on track for a double promotion.

In addition, they have made it through to the semi-finals of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy and if they beat holders Gloucestershire at Bristol on July 17 then they will be on course for a second Lord's triumph in three years.

If all goes well, 2004 could turn out to be a champagne year for Yorkshire on the field - and also off it, if plans to buy their Headingley headquarters go through as expected.

Here is my mid-term report on Yorkshire's main players. I wonder if it reads similar to that of their 'headmaster' David Byas.

John Blain: Late signing from Northants to strengthen the fast bowling options and the enthusiastic Scot did just that. Although he can prove expensive, Blain has the knack of taking wickets and he was the leading wicket-taker after four Championship matches with 13 dismissals before breaking down with a calf injury. 7-10.

Richard Blakey: Doing a great job in charge of the Second X1 and brought back for one-day games to add extra experience to the side. 7-10.

Tim Bresnan: Gone about his work steadily rather than explosively and his reliability made him the leading wicket-taker among the fast bowlers in the totesport League with 12 victims at 28.33 apiece. Still a great prospect. 8-10.

Vic Craven: Limited opportunities but has made the most of them and his improved bowling means he can be regarded as a genuine all-rounder. 7-10.

Richard Dawson: Has bounced back in style after a disappointing time in 2003 and is currently Yorkshire's top wicket-taker in both the Championship (23 at 25.56) and the totesport League (13 at 17.84). Has also had some powerful knocks with the bat and if the improvement continues he could soon be attracting England's attention again. 9-10.

Andrew Gale: Just beginning to emerge and his fiercely struck 46 against Sussex Sharks last Sunday was entertaining to watch. 6-10.

Andy Gray: Few opportunities so far after being out at the start with a broken wrist but this cheery character is always good for the team's morale. 6-10.

Simon Guy: Has taken plenty of catches behind the stumps but has also missed quite a few and his batting has not yet got going. Room for improvement. 5-10.

Ian Harvey: The Aussie all-rounder performed moderately until going down in mid-May with a bad hamstring tear and it remains to be seen if he can produced the goods on his return. 6-10.

Matthew Hoggard: After his successful winter in the West Indies with England, he took a time to find his rhythm with Yorkshire but has bowled with venom in his last couple of matches. 7-10.

Phil Jaques: Signed in mid-May as cover for Darren Lehmann and then Ian Harvey, the New South Wales left-hander has been a superb acquisition and has already rattled up almost 1,000 runs in all competitions, the highlight being his sensational 243 against Hampshire, the highest score ever made at the Rose Bowl. 10-10.

Steve Kirby: Went down with a back injury early on and is still only a shadow of himself. Seems to have lost some of his zip. Let's hope it returns soon. 5-10.

Darren Lehmann: Has been his usual brilliant self inbetween trips back home to play for Australia. As well as chalking up the runs, he has also made several important contributions with his left-arm spin. When will someone make him an honorary Yorkshireman? 9-10.

Michael Lumb: Fluctuating form but has still played some of the most memorable strokes of the season. 7-10.

Anthony McGrath: Has batted responsibly on his late return to the side after being consigned to 12th man duties during England's one-day tour of the West Indies. Why don't England give him a proper chance and bat him higher up the order? 8-10.

Chris Silverwood: Has picked up a reasonable number of wickets in the Championship but has not yet fired on all cylinders in his benefit season. 7-10.

Chris Taylor: Unlucky to lose his place after promising start to the season but he batted with gritty determination when he returned at the Rose Bowl. 7-10.

Michael Vaughan: Only played twice but his breathtaking unbeaten 116 was a masterpiece which dumped Lancashire out of the C&G Trophy and took Yorkshire through to the semi-finals. 9-10.

Craig White: Has shown plenty of responsibility in his new role as captain and has played for the team rather than himself. Now on the road to recovery after a hamstring strain. 8-10.

Matthew Wood: Came good after a struggle at the start and following a thunderous 160 v Devon in the C&G Trophy, he plundered four consecutive Championship half centuries. 8-10.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, July 03, 2004