Yorkshire gained their first victory of the season in the Friends Life t20 North Group but the first win at Headingley since mid last summer had to wait to be sealed on the last ball of the game. Victory by 2 runs over Worcestershire will buoy Andrew Gale’s side ahead of tomorrow’s Roses clash at Old Trafford.

Yorkshire made 152-7, which could have been at least 20 runs more, but the Tykes batsmen found timing hard to come by on a slow low track as Yorkshire struggled to hit their 16 fours.

Andrew Gale was off to a quick start as he and Jonny Bairstow added 40 in 28 balls for the 1st wicket. Gale cracked 5 fours in 29 before checking a drive straight off Shakib to Damien Wright at mid-on.

The White Rose fifty arrived within six overs but Lyth drove Choudhry’s second ball to Moeen Ali at long-on. Bairstow was lbw to Ali for 24 from 27 balls and Anthony McGrath popped Gareth Andrew’s third ball to Shantry at mid-wicket and Yorkshire were 99-4.

Gary Ballance edged Andrew behind and Gerard Brophy became Andrew’s third wicket when he was caught by Daryl Mitchell. Pyrah looked to chip Shakib over his head but the Bagladeshi slow-left-armer jumped high and took the catch one handed and it left Ryan Sidebottom to hit some lusty blows to take the Tykes to the bare minimum total of 150-plus.

The stars of Yorkshire’s defence of that total were Man of the Match Richard Pyrah (4-21), Adil Rashid (3-19) and Ryan Sidebottom who bowled well at the death.

But it was Gareth Andrew who nearly stole the points with his Mongoose bat. He bludgeoned an unbeaten 60 off 24 deliveries which included 5 fours and 4 sixes as he took the Royals within touching distance of a finish line they had no right to see.

Rashid and Pyrah both halted Worcestershire’s progress with two wickets in an over and at 67-5 after 12.2 overs Worcestershire seemed to be sliding to defeat. Enter Andrew. He belted David Wainwright for two huge sixes over the short West Stand boundary and then smashed Steve Patterson for a four and a six, while left-hander James Cameron was content to nudge the single to give him the strike. The pair added 59 in 5 overs before Yorkshire struck back.

Cameron holed out to Rashid at deep mid-wicket and Scott drove back a smart caught and bowled chance to give Pyrah his second two wicket over.

While Andrew was still at the crease the Royals appeared favourites, but with Choudhry eating up balls and Andrew Failing to get as much of the strike as needed, Sidebottom managed to successfully bowl the death over with 12 wanted.

Choudhry drove for three, but with 6 needed off 2 Andrew ran a bye to take him off strike and Choudhry failed to make contact with the final ball as Yorkshire won by 2 runs.

Far better in the field and with the ball this win gives the Tykes a much needed confidence boost before the trip to Old Trafford on Friday night. They may need to add more consistency with the bat though if they are to deny the Red Rose the points in Manchester.

JAMES BUTTLER at HEADINGLEY

MATCH INFO

MATCH PREVIEW

Yorkshire Carnegie must pick themselves up after successive defeats to Warwickshire Bears and Notts Outlaws and reignite their Friends Life t20 campaign when they play Worcestershire Royals at Headingley on Thursday.

Andrew Gale has decided how his team will play in the competition and stuck to his guns, resisting the temptation to tinker with selection. Although the game-plans have not resulted in a win for the Tykes yet the squad and Martyn Moxon have now had a bit of time to work on their t20 strategies with time out from the middle between Sunday and Thursday's match.

Ajmal Shahzad continues to be absent from the Yorkshire side after picking up an ankle injury in the Championship match in Hove and Tim Bresnan, who is recovering well from a calf injury, is still not available for selection.

Yorkshire have beaten Worcestershire in the Championship at New Road and followed that up with a win in the CB40. A win against the Royals is much needed and would be great preparation for the Roses t20 match played at Old Trafford on Friday.

YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE SQUAD

Andrew GALE (c), Jonny BAIRSTOW, Adam LYTH, Anthony McGRATH, Gerard BROPHY (wk), Joe ROOT, Adil RASHID, Richard PYRAH, Ryan SIDEBOTTOM, David WAINWRIGHT, Steve PATTERSON, Gary BALLANCE and Azeem RAFIQ.