Dawson's haul takes Yorkshire a step closer to CricInfo Championship

Yorkshire's 21-year-old off-spinner Richard Dawson captured career-best figures of six for 82 as Glamorgan were bowled out for 223 after winning the toss at Scarborough.

CricInfo Championship leaders Yorkshire then knocked up 33 without loss in 13 overs before the close to stay in with a real chance of clinching the title by taking a maximum 20 points out of the match.

Even though Yorkshire were well satisfied with their day's work they let themselves down in the field by dropping two easy slip catches, both of which proved fairly expensive.

Ian Thomas was put down by Matthew Wood off Steven Kirby before a run had been scored and then in the afternoon Mark Wallace was dropped by David Byas when he, also, had still to get off the mark.

Dawson entered the attack after openers Thomas and Jimmy Maher had put on 48 in 16 overs and he struck with his third ball which bowled Maher round his legs as the Australian attempted to sweep.

Mike Powell drove his third ball from Dawson for six but after hurrying to 28 he, too, was bowled, and off the final delivery before lunch Dawson trapped Thomas lbw for only 18 from the whole of the morning session.

A splendid spell of bowling after the interval by Ryan Sidebottom brought its reward when he had Keith Newell caught behind to make Glamorgan 113-4 but five runs later Yorkshire were made to regret the dropping of Wallace.

The young wicketkeeper then helped Adrian Dale add 72 in 28 overs for the fifth wicket before Dawson returned at the other end and immediately dismissed Wallace who edged to Byas at slip for 31, leaving Glamorgan to go in to tea on 188 for five, Dale just having time to complete his 50 off 123 deliveries with five boundaries.

Glamorgan collapsed quickly in the evening session as Dawson completed his tally with the wickets of Darren Thomas and Andrew Davies while Dale was out disappointingly, chasing a wide ball from Craig White which he edged to slip.

Ryan Sidebottom was the best of Yorkshire's seam bowlers and it was fitting that he should claim the last two wickets as Dean Cosker and Simon Jones both gave catches to Wood at second slip.

White and Wood went on the attack right from the start of Yorkshire's reply but in the penultimate over of the day, Wood had to retire hurt when he was struck on the side of the helmet by a bouncer from Simon Jones, the ball appearing to push back the grille to leave a nasty cut below his left eye, Kirby coming in as nightwatchman.

Afterwards, Yorkshire captain David Byas, paid tribute to Dawson.

"He is getting wickets regularly. That means we are able to build pressure from both ends, whereas in the past we have needed someone to bowl up the hill into the wind - with limited success," said Byas.

"But he can bowl better than he has been doing. He is obviously a great prospect and one who listens and is worth working with."