ANDREW GALE'S best innings for over two years helped Yorkshire pick up maximum batting points and stay in control of their clash with Worcestershire at Scarborough.

Gale recorded his best score since making 272 against Nottinghamshire at North Marine Road in June 2013 as the home side picked up maximum batting bonus points.

Resuming on 357-5, runs were hard to come by for the Yorkshire lower-order, and Tim Bresnan was first to fall as he edged Joe Leach to Ross Whiteley at first slip for 28.

Liam Plunkett was then caught behind off Charlie Morris for 10 before Steven Patterson and Jack Brooks fell in quick succession as Morris took three wickets for one run in 13 deliveries.

That left Ryan Sidebottom to join Gale, but he and the skipper were able to push the score past 400 before playing some more attacking strokes.

Gale reached his own 150 from his 285th delivery before becoming the last man to go for 164 as he was caught by Daryl Mitchell running back at slip as he tried an audacious scoop shot off Jack Shantry.

Worcestershire openers Mitchell and Richard Oliver were able to survive five overs before lunch as they reached 10-0 – still 420 in arrears.