CHRIS Taylor, who left Yorkshire under a cloud towards the end of last season because he could not gain a regular first team place, made the perfect return to Headingley yesterday when he scored a faultless century against his old team-mates.

He hit exactly 100 to bring his new club Derbyshire victory by 21 runs in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Largely through Taylor's efforts, Derbyshire reached a challenging 251-6 after being put in to bat and the target was too steep for Yorkshire.

Taylor, 25, has made a magnificent start to his Derbyshire career by striking 102 against Oxford UCCE and then 45 in the Championship match at The Oval before yesterday's sparkling effort in only his fourth one-day innings.

He holed out to Darren Lehmann the ball after completing his century from 124 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Taylor, who kissed the Derbyshire badge on his shirt upon reaching three figures, had still not finished giving Yorkshire grief because he went on to take a stunning catch at extra cover to send back Richard Dawson when the game was nearing its close.

A delighted Taylor (pictured above celebrating his ton) said: "I will remember this day for the rest of my life. I was pretty nervous coming back to Headingley and going out to bat after an early wicket had gone down but I couldn't have written a better script.

"This was the first time I have ever batted at No 3 in a one-day match and it was new territory but I managed to settle in and play a few shots.

"I wanted to prove a point or two to some of the Yorkshire people and I think I managed to do that. I was associated with Yorkshire from 16 to 24 and made some good friends but in the end I was glad to get away and play regular cricket for Derbyshire."

Yorkshire put Derbyshire in to bat and Mitch Claydon made the early breakthrough when Michael DiVenuto clipped a catch to Anthony McGrath but Taylor then put the visitors in charge during a 112 second-wicket stand with Stephen Stubbings who fell to a leg-side catch by Gerard Brophy for 62 from 88 balls with eight fours.

Taylor remained steadfast, however, and he hit cleanly over the inner field, his shot-of-the-day being a straight drive for six off Dawson.

Yorkshire were made to regret leaving out Joe Sayers in order to accommodate another seamer and although several batsmen made reasonable contributions no-one was able to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Openers Craig White and Matthew Wood both fell to Kevin Dean's new-ball spell and Michael Lumb's fluent knock of 43 ended when he was bowled by Ant Botha.

McGrath batted nicely until he was run out as Lehmann failed to respond to his call for a run and Yorkshire's last real hope evaporated when the Australian was bowled by Dean for a well-judged 55 from 56 balls with four boundaries.

Updated: 10:34 Monday, April 24, 2006