Innings of 62 by Lee Hodgson, above, and 61 by Charlie Roebuck helped Yorkshire to victory by 94 runs in their Second Eleven Trophy match against MCC Young Cricketers. Paceman Lee later chipped in with two wickets.

The White Rosebuds reached Radlett after two less than impressive losses in their most recent Trophy matches...and began by losing the toss. The hosts fancied the chase, so they asked Yorkshire to bat first. Within 10 overs, the first mandatory powerplay, two wickets were lost - both openers, Joe Root and Callum Geldart scoring 15 each.

That was the cue for a substantial partnership between Roebuck and Alex Lees - 110 runs in 20 overs. And there was a third person in the partnership: Paul Muchall, formerly playing Second Eleven cricket with Durham, bowled four overs for 43 runs - including seven wides, costing 11 runs, and three no-balls. All contributions gratefully received.

Roebuck’s 61 was beaten by only one other batsman, Hodgson, who succeeded him at the wicket when Roebuck was leg-before. Hodgson had short partnerships, six in all, as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, none of his partners making more than a dozen. And yes, the most successful YC bowler with three wickets, J K Lever, is related to J K Lever of Essex and England fame: his son!

Yorkshire's  272 in their 50 overs seemed par for the ground with a short boundary on one side and a very long one on the other. But was it? Openers Ian Cockbain and Omar Ali went off like an express train on the adjacent line into St Pancras. James Lee was rattled for 33 off his first four overs and Ben Sanderson for 29 off his first three.

Academy skipper John Blain replaced Lee. He trapped Cockbain leg-before with his sixth delivery, and had his replacement, Tom Lewis, caught behind with the first ball of his third over - although not before Lewis had scored 18 runs off the 14 balls he received.

Hodgson despatched Ali, the second of wicket-keeper Jordan Lowe’s four victims, and the rapid run scoring fizzled out - apart from the 27th over, bowled by Gurman Randhawa, and the 28th, delivered by David Wainwright, each including a four and a six.

Wickets fell every now and then - Andrew Clarke was caught by plural Lees in singular Lee’s fifth over - and Wainwright took a couple of wickets, as did Hodgson, but it was skipper Blain, bowling six overs for 30 runs and three wickets, who was Yorkshire’s most successful bowler.

When time is tight and closely monitored by the umpires it is not helpful that many balls disappear into the hedges round the ground. And two streakers, of the canine variety, interrupted play, too. Of such is life on Second Eleven outgrounds

The winning margin, 94 runs with 16 overs in hand, helped to wipe out some of the damage done to Yorkshire's run rate by the adverse results in the two previous matches. Tomorrow, the pyjamas are packed away. It’s on with the whites and a three-day Championship match. Same opponents, same venue.

Words and Statistics: MICHAEL SNOOK