Although Yorkshire are 24 points clear of the field, they are still in danger of Somerset doing the double over them in the CricInfo Championship match which started at Bath today.

Yorkshire's confidence is at a high level after three consecutive victories for the first time in three seasons but they need to keep their feet on the ground because Somerset are the only side to beat them so far.

In the first home match of the season, Yorkshire lost by 161 runs to Somerset for whom Andy Caddick was in outstanding form but the England paceman will not be troubling them at Bath.

It is 27 years since Yorkshire last played a Championship match on the ground and they do not want a repeat performance because Somerset won in 1974 by seven wickets.

Viv Richards scored his first home century for Somerset in that game but it was Yorkshire exile Brian Close who steadied them in the second innings and pushed for victory with an unbeaten 34.

Yorkshire captain David Byas is hoping that Scott Richardson and Matthew Wood can show the same sort of form today that brought them an opening stand of 152 against Kent, the county's biggest for the first wicket in two years.

"We have not had a successful opening pair for quite a while and it would be great if Richardson and Wood can form the same sort of alliance as Martyn Moxon and Ashley Metcalfe managed," said Byas.

Wood hit 90 off the Kent attack while Richardson completed his maiden half-century and went on to make 69 before being unluckily run out when Min Patel dropped a hard return catch from Craig White and dragged the ball into the stumps with Richardson out of his ground backing up.

Although Yorkshire are eager to continue their winning streak in the Championship with a good win at Bath, they have also got one eye on their Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final clash with Gloucestershire at Headingley on Monday week and every effort is being made to get Chris Silverwood (groin strain) and Ryan Sidebottom (sore shins) fit for the big occasion.

Updated: 09:31 Wednesday, June 13, 2001