YORKSHIRE'S heavy defeat by Durham put the dampner on an otherwise splendid Scarborough Cricket Festival but the game will always hold cherished memories for off-spinner, Richard Dawson.

During the match captain Matthew Wood suddenly pulled off his Yorkshire first team sweater and cap and handed them to Dawson.

"I was absolutely chuffed to pieces," said the 24-year-old from Doncaster who was educated at Batley Grammar School and Exeter University.

"I couldn't take in what was happening. At first I thought Matthew was removing his sweater and cap and coming on to bowl and then I was astonished when he handed them to me."

What Dawson didn't realise at the time was that Wood had planned to present him with his colours during Durham's first innings on the opening day, the appropriate moment being when he grabbed a wicket.

But the plan was spoiled by young leg-spinner, Mark Lawson, who bagged five wickets himself and Dawson did not strike until he got out the last man.

"I think I made a bit of a mess of things and Woody had to wait for the right opportunity on the following day," grinned Dawson, who added: "It was a real privilege to get my cap and a bonus to what has been a reasonable season for me."

The week before Dawson was capped, rumours were flying around at Colwyn Bay that he was due to join another county next season.

"I also heard those rumours but I also heard similar ones at Colwyn Bay the previous season," said Dawson.

"I have certainly not planned on moving away from Yorkshire and I am very happy in my career with them. They are a great set of lads and a good team which I think will improve next season when some of the youngsters have gained more experience."

Dawson, like former Yorkshire and England captain Brian Close before him, was capped by his country before his county, but Dawson said that this had not placed any additional pressures on him.

"I looked upon them as entirely separate and unconnected events," he said. "A lot of other Yorkshire players have had to wait for their caps and I it didn't worry me that I got an England cap first."

Dawson, who has played in seven Test matches, all away from home, would obviously love to represent England again but he is pretty relaxed about it. "If I knock enough poles over for Yorkshire and go on scoring runs then the chance will come," he said.

Updated: 10:30 Saturday, September 11, 2004