AFTER two-and-a-half days of uncertainty and indecision, Yorkshire's Championship match against Glamorgan finally got started in mid-afternoon at Colwyn Bay yesterday with umpires and captains still insisting that conditions were not really fit for first-class cricket.

But with nobody wanting to shoulder responsibility for calling the game off, the 1,000 spectators were rewarded for their patience when the captains agreed that the action should begin with 51 overs of the day remaining.

The main problem area was the soggy run-ups at the top end of the ground but one was left wondering what all the fuss was about once the bowlers were into their stride.

With further rain predicted overnight, losing the toss and being put in to bat only added to the pressure on Yorkshire because bowling bonus points are easier to obtain more quickly than batting points, the first of which is not acquired until 200 has been scored.

Under the circumstances, Yorkshire did well to reach 158-5 by the close against a hungry attack and in conditions which clearly assisted the bowlers.

Captain Matthew Wood went early on, caught behind as he pushed forward at Australian Mick Lewis, who, like Yorkshire's Richard Pyrah, was making his Championship debut.

Anthony McGrath was then dropped by wicket-keeper Mark Wallace after making only a single but he went on to play some crisp strokes in a pleasing 52 stand with Phil Jaques, which ended when Jaques fell lbw to Darren Thomas for 21.

Shortly after tea, McGrath had a lucky escape as he hooked England bowler Simon Jones straight into the hands of Thomas at long leg but the catch was put down. It was not an expensive miss, however, because after adding ten more runs, McGrath tried to withdraw from a pull shot at Jones and the ball lobbed via his glove to Matthew Maynard at second slip.

With Yorkshire on 96-3, Glamorgan had picked up their first bowling point but left-hander Joe Sayers, in his second match, and Pyrah, both batted gallantly together to defy Jones in poor light.

Jones, often pitching short, was an unpleasant proposition, but Pyrah showed plenty of pluck and no little skill.

Harrison returned when Jones was rested and his first ball had Sayers caught at first slip, Yorkshire dipping to 145-5 as Vic Craven edged the same bowler.

In fading light, Maynard joined Robert Croft in the attack but Pyrah and Ismail Dawood, who used to play for Glamorgan, successfully battled it out to the close, Pyrah making 25 and Dawood 11.

Updated: 11:00 Friday, August 27, 2004