YORKSHIRE needed to knock over the Durham tailenders today if they are to avoid a substantial first innings deficit in their four-day Second XI County Championship match at Stamford Bridge.

Durham entered the second day holding a lead of 33 with three wickets in hand, but significantly they had young batsman Graeme Bridge still at the crease and looking good on 65 not out.

Having won the toss and opted to bat, Yorkshire disappointed. Four of the top five batsmen moved into the 30s without too much difficulty and then got themselves out and the result was a meagre total of 195. Durham's Geoff Onions finished with 6-52.

Durham wicketkeeper Phil Mustard took six catches.

Durham started badly in reply, losing four wickets for 40, but Ian Pattison (92) and Bridge pulled the game around to see their side close on 228-7.

Sheriff Hutton youngster Nick Thornicroft bowled well as he claimed 4-28 off nine overs, while Gavin Hamilton picked up 1-42 as he stepped up his bid to recapture his bowling form.

SCOREBOARD

Second XI Championship

(at Stamford Bridge)

(Day 2 of 4 today)

Yorkshire 1st inns: C R Taylor c Mustard b Davies 31, S A Richardson c Mustard b Onions 34, A Gale c Bridge b Onions 3, V Craven c Roberts b Onions, G Hamilton b Pattison 4, R M Pyrah c Mustard b Onions 36, S Guy c Mustard b Pattison 4, C R Gilbert c Mustard b Onions 24, M Lawson not out 3, D Stiff c Bridge b Onions 0, N D Thornicroft c Kileen b Hunter 3. Extras 21. Total: 195

Fall: 1-68, 2-72, 3-89, 4-116, 5-124, 6-134, 7-1887, 8-190, 9-190.

Killeen 13-3-34-0, Hunter 8.1-0-43-1, Onions 10-1-62-6, Davies 7-1-20-1, Pattison 8-2-29-2.

Durham 1st inns: D Barnes c Guy b Stiff 0, J A Lowe c Lawson b Thornicroft 8, I Pattison c Pyrah b Thornicroft 92, P Mustard b Thornicroft 4, A Roberts lbw Thornicroft 4, I D Hunter c Gilbert b Lawson 34, G Bridge not out 65, A Davies b Hamilton 0, N Killeen not out 3. Extras 18. Total: 228-7.

Fall: 1-0, 2-22, 3-36, 4-40, 5-115, 6-210, 7-211.

Overnight bowling: Stiff 11-3-55-1, Thornicroft 9-1-28-4, Gilbert 9-055-0, Hamilton 8-0-42-1, Lawson 7-042-1

Updated: 15:07 Wednesday, May 14, 2003