Date-stamped : 25 Sep96 - 18:11 County Championship 1996 Northamptonshire v Yorkshire County Ground, Northampton 19, 20, 21, 22 September 1996 ====> Day 1 Intolerant Yorkshire By D. J. Rutnagur at Northampton First day of four: Yorkshire (213-3) v Northants ALTHOUGH the championship has fallen out of Yorkshire`s reach, they have a fair bit to gain from this final match against a county whose fortunes are low in terms of achievement and fitness. Currently placed sixth, Yorkshire, after winning their last two matches, have the scope to finish fourth, entitling them to an extra 2,000 in prize money. Considering these attractions, they should have been more tolerant of poor light which restricted play to just 64 overs. They were twice offered a truce and they accepted both times. The second stoppage was terminal. Going off on the second occasion, 35 minutes after the first interruption, was understandable because Richard Kettleborough was newly arrived at the wicket. But when they went off the first time, Michael Vaughan, unbeaten with 95, and Anthony McGrath were well-settled, in fact, dominant. There was no devil in the pitch and they were not threatened with pace. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) ====> Day 2 Second day of four: Northamptonshire (83-2) trail Yorkshire (478) by 395 runs IN the wake of Michael Vaughan`s 183 - his third century of the season, which equalled his highest score - Yorkshire needed only one more major innings to lift them to a potentially match- winning total at Northampton. It was provided by by Craig White, who scored 66, writes D. J. Rutnagur. Vaughan, who batted for a shade over six hours without offering a chance, was serene and polished. He attacked in bursts with cuts, drives through the covers and lofted on- drives to hit a six and 27 fours. He was particularly severe on John Emburey, whose control suffered from lack of practice. Richard Kettleborough, Vaughan`s overnight partner, batted solidly until Kevin Innes bowled him with an in-swinger. White helped to accelerate the scoring, his partnership with Vaughan adding 105 in 26 overs. The impetus was sustained by Richard Blakey and if wickets fell rapidly after White`s departure, it was because Yorkshire made increasing haste. Tony Penberthy profited from their alacrity to take the last four of his five wickets in 22 balls. Northants must have been relieved when the light failed with 15 overs remaining as they fought to survive. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) ====> Day 3 Loye puts block on quick victory By Matthew Hannah at Northampton Third day of four: Northamptonshire (222 & 157-0) trail Yorkshire (478) by 99 runs MAL LOYE`s second championship century of the season spearheaded a Northamptonshire fightback after Yorkshire had sensed a three-day victory. Loye`s unbeaten 106, backed up by Richard Montgomerie`s 36, helped steer Northants to 157 without loss at the close after following on 256 behind, and though still 99 behind with a day remaining, they have a chance of securing a draw. Northants were dismissed for 222 first time round as they failed to recover from a mid-innings collapse which saw them lose six wickets for 27 runs in 15 overs. They crashed from 140 for two to 167 for eight and only a fighting ninth-wicket stand of 55 between Paul Taylor and John Emburey provided some respectability. Darren Gough and Richard Stemp did most of the damage with three wickets apiece, while Chris Silverwood generated pace and hostility to dismiss Rob Bailey and Tim Walton. Yorkshire might have expected Northants to fold again, but Loye responded superbly, hitting 18 fours in his 162-ball innings, while Montgomerie chalked up 1,000 first-class runs for the season. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) ====> Day 4 By D. J. Rutnagur at Northampton Northants (222 & 531-4) drew with Yorkshire (478) IN DENYING Yorkshire a win which would have given them fourth position - their best final standing in the championship for 18 years - Richard Montgomerie (127) and Mal Loye (205) registered the highest opening partnership of the season and broke two long-standing records. The 372 they put on in 101 overs bettered by 11 runs Northants` first-wicket record, established in 1953 by Norman Oldfield and Vince Broderick against Scotland. The stand also eclipsed the highest opening partnership against Yorkshire, 346 between two Somerset amateurs, Lionel Palairet and Herbert Hewett, in 1892. Montgomerie, only playing because Russell Warren was unfit, and Loye had overnight narrowed the huge first-innings deficit to 99 and they remained together until 45 minutes after lunch yesterday when the issue was beyond doubt. Loye reached his double-century off 296 balls while Mongtgomerie needed 308 balls for his 127. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)