WOODHOUSE Grange almost upset the odds as they gave Yorkshire's first team a thorough testing for Steve Oldham's testimonial yesterday.

Despite eventually winning by 29 runs, the Tykes can be thankful of a gutsy 35-run last-wicket stand between ex-Wilberfoss spinner Andy Gray and Ryan Sidebottom to set them up for the victory.

Woodhouse were on the attack from the start with Ashley Quinn's bouncer from the opening ball putting Vic Craven on his backside, before having him caught in the slips from the next ball.

The classy Stephen Fleming held the Yorkshire innings together with 51, while Matthew Wood (24) and Yuvraj Singh (22) both scored well. However it took some big hitting from Sidebottom (24no) as he and Gray saw the score from 134-9 to 169.

Kashif Raza (3-16) and Peter Head (3-14) starred in the Grange bowling.

Hopes of a shock Grange victory were quickly made to look remote as Chris Silverwood bagged 2-3, while Singh took 5-23.

Nick Hadfield (29) and Mick Burdett (31) kept Grange in the hunt, while Tom Quinn, son of former York RL star Steve, clubbed four huge sixes on his way to 36 not out, but the hosts fell short at 140-9.

The day was a huge success all-round, with Grange able to hand over nearly £1,500 to Steve Oldham's testimonial fund.

Oldham said: "It was a fantastic day. I'm overwhelmed by the hospitality and the excellent organisation by everyone at Woodhouse Grange, brilliant."

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, July 23, 2003