YORKSHIRE began the season as kings of county cricket but by mid-June the champions had lost five of their first six matches and were firmly embedded to the bottom of the table for the remainder of the summer.

It was a shock to the system for players and fans alike and to drop out of the top flight for the first time since the Championship was split into two divisions three years' ago was clearly unacceptable for a club of Yorkshire's great traditions.

But there was a bright silver lining among the dark clouds and lifting the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy in such style at Lord's was a measure of compensation for the gloomier days.

Much to Yorkshire's credit, they did not seek excuses for their slump in the Championship, although there were some to be had, and now there is a determination among the playing and coaching staff that many of the wrongs will be righted next summer.

First and foremost, Yorkshire will not take their Second Division opponents for granted and there will be more urgency about their play in the opening weeks of the new season than there was this time when they had too high an opinion of themselves after becoming champions for the first time in 33 years.

Although Yorkshire should not have allowed themselves to be distracted by the early season shambles over the late arrival and poor quality of their kit, off-the-field events did nothing to help the team feel they were part of a smart set-up.

Yorkshire usually leave their internal wrangling until the winter but this time it ran parallel with the cricket and it was not until the 'Gang of Four' took control of the ailing club that the players were able to look ahead with confidence.

Perhaps it was no coincidence that after learning their futures were secure, the team played like a real unit against Somerset in the C&G final at Lord's and came home in triumph with the handsome trophy.

Two of the biggest factors in Yorkshire's poor Championship performances were the failure to make runs at the start of the innings and the thinness of their bowling.

Last year's improved form which brought Matthew Wood 1,060 Championship runs and a place at the England Academy in Australia during the winter completely deserted him and he could only must 201 runs in 17 innings at an average of 11.82.

Chris Taylor had a golden opportunity to stake his claim for the opening berth but he was unable to take it and 150 runs in nine innings leaves him with a lot still to do. His close rival, Scott Richardson, only appeared in the first and last matches, and he was also unable to advance his cause.

Yorkshire have built up a reputation in recent years of being able to call upon an endless stream of fast bowlers but this year the supply dried up.

Gavin Hamilton was badly missed, the breezy all-rounder managing only 12 overs before being unable to bowl again as psychological problems took hold, and Matthew Hoggard was with England so much that he was available for just two games, taking eight wickets compared to the 26 of last season.

Ryan Sidebottom was leading wicket-taker with 41 dismissals but I cannot recall a year when the top bowler had so few victims.

Even when Yorkshire last finished bottom of the Championship table in 1983, Phil Carrick had 62 wickets, Graham Stevenson 56 and Simon Dennis 52 - although they played more matches.

Yorkshire did have their moments of individual brilliance and once again Darren Lehmann delighted with his wizardry with the bat before returning to Australia with 1,136 Championship runs at an average of 66.82.

His replacement, Matthew Elliott, also churned out the runs and if the pair of them are together next season Yorkshire should have no trouble amassing big scores.

But pride of place, in my opinion, goes to a Yorkshireman born and bred in Richard Blakey, who uncomplainingly took on the captaincy when Lehmann departed, and continued to pile up the runs batting at No 7.

His 1,041 runs for the season were richly deserved - and they sent out a clear message that he is still running on high-octane fuel after 17 seasons in the first class game.

Updated: 12:09 Wednesday, September 25, 2002