What a day in Bristol for Andrew Gale's men as they chased down the 400 target to win in style with 20 balls to spare to go joint top of the Division Two table. Phil Jaques (160) and Gary Ballance with an unbeaten 121 were the stars with a match winning fourth wicket stand of 213.

MATCH ZONE

MATCH SCORECARD	CLICK HERE
DAY TWO VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS	CLICK HERE
DAY THREE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS	CLICK HERE
DAY FOUR VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS	CLICK HERE
END OF PLAY VIDEO SPECIAL	CLICK HERE
ADAM LYTH INTERVIEW DAY ONE	CLICK HERE
WILL RHODES INTERVIEW DAY TWO	CLICK HERE
JASON GILLESPIE INTERVIEW DAY THREE	CLICK HERE
ANDREW GALE AFTER THE WIN	CLICK HERE
PHIL JAQUES AFTER THE WIN	CLICK HERE
GARY BALLANCE AFTER THE WIN	CLICK HERE
YCCC first-class batting averages	CLICK HERE
YCCC first-class bowling averages	CLICK HERE
LVCC 2nd Division Table	CLICK HERE

DAY FOUR MATCH REPORT

What a day in Bristol for Andrew Gale's men as they chased down the 400 target to win in style with 20 balls to spare to go joint top of the Division Two table. Phil Jaques (160) and Gary Ballance with an unbeaten 121 were the stars with a match winning fourth wicket stand of 213.

When the morning got underway spectators seemed to think Gloucestershire were favourites, but the Tykes got home by 4 wickets to take 19 points on their travels and maintain the momentum of a burgeoning promotion push.

The chase now sits as the second highest winning total in Yorkshire's history and reinforces the drive of the Yorkshire management to play positive cricket and validates Andrew Gale's desire to manufacture a positive result from what otherwise would have been a dead game.

Phil Jaques cut slow left-armer Ed Young away to the cover fence and Yorkshire's chase was underway on day four, but with 370 to win from a minimum of 96 overs the task of scaling the mountain had barely left base camp.

Jaques had a life on 14 when an edge off Saxelby went straight through Alex Gidman at first slip, a missed chance the Gloucestershire captain would live to regret, but the score became 62-2 when Lyth flicked across a full ball from Ian Saxelby and was adjudged lbw for 36.

Andrew Gale joined Jaques and drove Gidman through cover for four. Jaques, strong on the back foot through the offside, punched Saxelby through cover for two fours and then edged through vacant gully for four more. Gale cover drove to the fence and progress was good, but it was important the two lefthanders formed a strong partnership, at least until lunch. 

Jaques again played Gidman through cover and edged through slips for three more. It summed up the story of the first hour - authorative shots followed by a stroke of fortune, but then Gloucestershire's innings had been the same and no matter how well you play luck is an important ally. 

Jaques punched Gidman through cover to bring up his fifty from 83 balls with 7 fours. Ed Young returned and Gale cut his first ball for two, powered him over long-on for six, stroked through extra cover for four, but then hit straight to McCarter at mid-off and would have been livid with himself for throwing away a promising start.

Yorkshire were 117-3 and the Jaques' role was becoming increasingly important. He pulled Gidman for four, pulled Young through mid-wicket and then drove him over the top for successive fours before gliding Gidman through square for another boundary as he moved into the seventies.

Ballance hit Young through cover, but with 20 minutes to play until lunch the pair sensibly played within themselves to ensure they were there to carry on the job in the afternoon session.

Resuming at 248-3 Saxelby grabbed Jaques' edge but the ball landed short of second slip. The Brit/Aussie was in no mood to be deterred as he reached his second Championship century of the season in 160 balls with 13 fours. In doing so the Tykes passed halfway in the chase, but with the new ball only 20 overs away it seemed crucial that Jaques and Ballance were there to combat it.

Ballance reached his fifty in 139 balls with 5 fours and his role in the fourth wicket partnership should not be underestimated. The 150 partnership was reached in the last over before tea, where at the break Yorkshire required a further 131 runs to win in a minimum of 31 overs.

The key period was always going to be the half-an-hour after the break when immediately Gloucestershire took the new ball.

Jaques tucked Gidman through square for four to move to 151 in 235 balls with his 16th four. The required rate started to creep up as the new ball grew older, but Jaques lifted McCarter over mid-on for four. In the next over Ballance drove straight back past Saxelby and edged another boundary to ease the nerves. Jaques then pulled the same bowler for a couple and the fourth wicket stand grew to 201.

Jaques though was bowled by Gidman for a magnificent 160 and as the last hour kicked in the calculation was simple. From 16 overs Yorkshire required 80 to win at 5 an over with Ballance unbeaten on 87 and the old head of McGrath new at the crease. McGrath made 6 before edging Gidman to Dent at second slip.

71 was required from 14 overs and Bresnan joined Ballance and hit four passed McCarter. He then drove Gidman for two classy fours and the nerves, although still tingling, eased slightly. But after making 38 including a beautifully flicked six behind square, Bresnan was bowled to make the score 383-6.

Ballance, joined by Gerard Brophy, was not going to let victory slide from his grasp as he reached his century in 209 balls including 9 fours with his first maximum. With 15 required from the final four overs Brophy nudged a single and Ballance carved Young over midwicket for four. He repeated the slog sweep for six and finished the job in style by clearing the ropes again.

It was definitely the best Ballance has played in a Yorkshire shirt, capped a superbly timed run chase and is a victory that shouts Yorkshire's positive intentions this summer from the rooftops.

I was quite exhausted watching it all! 

JAMES BUTTLER in BRISTOL

DAY THREE MATCH REPORT

However that was engineered can only be good for county cricket and the Bristol crowd.

Adam Lyth and Joe Sayers opened Yorkshire's second innings with the Tykes requiring 400 runs to win in a minimum of 110 overs.

Lyth was put down by Alex Gidman when on 10 off Ian Saxelby in the fifth over, but Sayers then edged Will Gidman behind to reduce Yorkshire to 14-1. Lyth and Phil Jaques stayed solid until the close and will carry Yorkshire's hopes into the final day.

A rare glimpse of summer sunshine at 11am saw Kane Williamson continued his fine work from yesterday. He is a class act, holding his concentration well through the many Thursday interruptions.

When he pushed Steve Patterson through the covers for two he reached his hundred from 167 balls with 9 fours and a six. It was his third first-class century in successive matches following an unbeaten Test 102 for New Zealand against South Africa in March and 128 for Gloucestershire against Derbyshire in early May and was his ninth first-class century.

Tim Bresnan had bowled first-up from the Jessop's Stand End, but changed to the Pavilion End to find wind assistance for his away swing and it worked. He induced a limp forward push from Alex Gidman (26), the edge comfortably pouched low down by Gerard Brophy. In a contest that the weather had seemingly reduced to a battle for bonus points the score became one all.

Williamson then edged behind off Bresnan for 111 and from his first major spell of the morning the England all-rounder ended with 6-2-11-2. He had bowled cleverly, with serious control and could have had more luck particularly when Hamish Marshall top-edged a pull that landed in no man's land short of Steve Patterson running in from fine leg.

Marshall though grew into his knock and by lunch was looking comfortable, despite Yorkshire taking the new ball two overs from the interval. He had reached 41 with Ian Cockbain unbeaten on 15.

I started to wonder whether a result could be manufactured. If Gloucestershire used their 110 overs to try and reach maximum batting points would they then consider a series of forfeited innings to leave a Yorkshire run chase? Only one forfeit would transpire, but a game of cricket was revitalised none-the-less.

A flu-like bug has been sweeping the Yorkshire squad and Ryan Sidebottom has been visibly struggling. His mood wasn't helped by batsmen playing and missing or edging into gaps and over the field. When riled a Siddy glare has the capacity to freeze a batsman's soul.

The afternoon session ended in a bang as the game was set-up for a positive result. Bresnan had Marshall bowled for 47 and Cockbain was caught by Jaques at third slip to give the England all-rounder a welld deserved 5-for. It was his first for Yorkshire since April 2010 and his fifth for the White Rose, but then we've not seen much of him in recent times.

Steve Patterson took two-in-two balls as Richard Coughtrie was brilliantly caught by Gary Ballance low to his right at first slip and Ed Young was lbw for a duck. Patterson's hat-trick ball was a near perfect full length delivery but the loud appeal was turned down.

Patterson had Will Gidman leg before to make the score 299-9 and Gloucestershire had lost their last five wickets for 9 runs. Just as we thought Yorkshire were going to deny their hosts a third batting bonus point Adam Lyth was introduced from the Jessop Stand End and joined Andrew Gale in lobbing up pies as the last pair added 52 in 3.1 overs to take their side to 351-9 declared.

Tea was taken, Yorkshire forfeited their first innings and any chance of batting bonus points and we were left wondering what twists would come next.

As Gloucestershire began their second innings it became apparent that events had moved at such a pace that the game needed slowing down for the victory target to become the right amount of runs from the agreed overs remaining in the game.

I took a walk around the ground to catch my breath and couldn't believe that some supporters thought the match situation was a 'disgrace', Potentially a game ruined by poor weather and the likelihood of a completely dead final day had been changed into a thrilling contest with all three results still possible. Gloucestershire were backing themselves to take ten Yorkshire wickets, Yorkshire believed they could knock off the runs and if neither materialised we at least had a more entertaining draw. Obviously some people like watching final days fizzle into nothingness.

One thing seems certain - Andrew Gale and Jason Gillespie are not going to die wondering this summer.

Yorkshire had promised positive, attacking, risk taking cricket and I would always prefer to drive away from a ground thinking the team had given their all for victory. Whatever the result in Bristol I believe it's the kind of cricket that excites spectators rather than giving the game a 'boring' tag that could ultimately see its demise.

Gloucestershire ate up time. There were no thrills in their second innings as they crawled along at just over one run per over, but it was short term pain for long-term gain. Adam Lyth returned to bowl proper medium pace, we caught a rare sight of Gary Ballance's leg-spin, the sun was shining and we were watching a match again.

Gloucestershire eeked into the 28th over of their innings, pushed a single and promptly declared leaving Yorkshire exactly 400 to win in a minimum of 110 overs, 14 of which they would have to surive on Friday evening.

Bearing in mind that Yorkshire haven't reached 400 runs within 110 overs in their first innings of a match (to achieve maximum batting points) for at least two years the chase wasn't going to be easy. If anyone can point me to when it last happened please let me know (james.buttler@yorkshireccc.com).

The best victory target ever reached by a Yorkshire side was 406-4 against Leicestershire at Grace Road in 2005 and Yorkshire have only twice chased over 331 to win matches.

What will tomorrow bring? Make no mistake Yorkshire will have to bat very well to score the required runs, but the pitch is yet to display too many demons, is effectively only a day-and-a-half old and if the Tykes can come through the first hour tomorrow unscathed then I think there's every chance of success.

Whatever occurs it will be far more interesting and exciting because of the enterprise shown by both captains in Bristol today.

JAMES BUTTLER in BRISTOL

DAY TWO MATCH REPORT

We lost 44 overs on Day 2 as Gloucestershire reached 165-2 in the 51.2 overs possible at the County Ground in Bristol.

After more overnight rain we lost the first hour this morning, but got underway at 12 noon after Yorkshire had won the toss and inserted their hosts. Tim Bresnan made an early breakthrough when Benny Howell edged to Phil Jaques at third slip.

Bresnan was full of control and movement early on, his first six overs yielding only 6 runs. Kane Williamson edged a very low chance to Gary Ballance at first slip four overs later but the ball went to ground. And four overs after that Dent edged through McGrath and Jaques at second and third slip for four. It was turning into one of those days.

Anthony McGrath was introduced in the 11th over and continued his fine recent form with some unplayable deliveries, but just 16 overs were possible before the rain returned and an early lunch was taken at 1.20pm. It would have been 20 minutes earlier but the lunch was not ready to be served.

Play could not be resumed until 2.30pm and it wasn't until the first ball of McGrath's fifth over that he conceded his first run. Thereafter the Gloucestershire batsmen played well until tea. At times they rode their luck with a number near misses, the odd edge that didn't go to hand, but also more than a smattering of quality strokes.

Kane Williamson inparticular was dynamic through the offside and was well passed fifty at tea - his unbeaten 68 coming from 101 balls with 8 fours and a pulled six off McGrath on a rare occasion when the medium pacer dropped too short.

At the other end Chris Dent was less comfortable and more cautious, but the second wicket partnership was worth 107 runs and had come at quite a pace in the latter overs when the runrate was over a run a ball.

If I was to be critical there were too many scoring balls which relieved pressure, but it must be said the pitch was playing better than the recent weather suggested. Andrew Gale would have hoped for more moisture in the surface and more help from overhead. Locals told me that the relaid outfield a couple of years ago has served to drain moisture from the square and enabled easier batting conditions. 

Chris Dent had reached fifty with an edge off Sidebottom through the vacant gully region, then moved to 56 with a slashed edge over the slips, but then played across a full delivery from Steve Patterson and watched umpire Kettleborough raise the finger of doom. Patterson had returned with a far more probing spell and reaped his reward.

At 5.30pm the gloom had got too much for the umpires and the players left the field. They returned for 8 balls but finally gave up hope of further play with the score 165-2. Williamson was 89 not out and Gloucestershire's skipper Alex Gidman was unbeaten on 6.

JAMES BUTTLER in BRISTOL

DAY ONE REPORT

Sadly, for once, today's weather forecast was correct and play on day one of this LV= County Championship match at the County Ground in Bristol was completely washed out.

There had been heavy overnight rain in the south-west and umpires Bodenham and Kettleborough took an early lunch at 12.30pm knowing there was little chance of a prompt start in the afternoon. It then rained again and with standing water on the covers and a soaked outfield the pair made a final inspection at 2.30pm and abandoned play for the day.

This is the first time the two sides have met at this ground since August 1996 when Gloucestershire won by 10 wickets within two days thanks mainly to match figures of 9-59 from West Indian paceman Courtney Walsh.

The County Ground is suffering this year however. With the only over Championship fixture, scheduled between Gloucestershire and Glamorgan abandoned without a ball bowled in late April, they've now lost five full days of cricket to the weather. 

We'll be back tomorrow at 11am on Thursday with renewed hope in our hearts and with the home crowd desperate to see their first Championship action of the season. The English summer is being rather unhelpful once again, but the forecast for the next three days gives reason to be a little more optimistic.

JAMES BUTTLER in BRISTOL 

MATCH PREVIEW

In sport ‘momentum’ is a big word. After three rain affected draws and an authoritative win against Leicestershire in Scarborough last week Yorkshire have the ball rolling in the right direction, have climbed to third place in the LV= County Championship second tier and are gradually building confidence.

Judging by the Bristol weather forecast it may be that the Tykes will have to conquer the elements again to secure a victory on the south west.

Mitchell Stark has been withdrawn from the squad and flies home to sort out his VISA paperwork. His place in the squad goes to Will Rhodes who will assume 12th Man duties. A while since a W Rhodes took the field for Yorkshire, but it's a name that will conjure curiosity from Yorkshire supporters as W Rhodes senior was one of the best ever.

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are in England Lions action against West Indies in Northampton from 10 May so can’t play against Gloucestershire. There are replaced in a squad of twelve by Adam Lyth and Gerard Brophy.

Gloucestershire have had a mixed start to the season. They have already played five matches in 2012 recording one win, one defeat, two draws and having one game abandoned without a ball bowled. 25-year-old Ian Cockbain has been the most successful with the willow so far with 245 runs at 35.00 with a highest score of 64.

Gloucestershire have hit two centuries. Chris Dent scored 114 and overseas New Zealander Kane Williamson 128. 17 wickets for Will Gidman at 18.76 and 13 from Ian Saxelby at 23.92 have kept Gloucestershire in the hunt in matches so far.

YORKSHIRE SQUAD

Andrew GALE (capt), Joe SAYERS, Adam LYTH, Phil JAQUES, Gary BALANCE, Anthony McGRATH, Gerard BROPHY (wk), Tim BRESNAN, Adil RASHID, Ryan SIDEBOTTOM and Steve PATTERSON

GLOUCESTERSHIRE SQUAD

Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman told the GCCC website: “Playing in the Second Division of the Championship, it is not often that we have the opportunity to come up against many Test Match bowlers, but Yorkshire are a special case. Sidebottom has lots of international experience, Bresnan is a current England bowler and Rashid has played one-day and T20 internationals so together they are part of a formidable unit."

He continued: “That makes the game a great challenge for all our players. Facing Yorkshire is always a big test and we should find out a lot about our own potential over the next few days.”

(from) C.Dent, B.Howell, K.Williamson, A.Gidman (capt), H.Marshall, I.Cockbain, W.Gidman, R.Coughtrie (wkt), E.Young, I.Saxelby, G.McCarter, D.Wade, P.Muchall