Yorkshire's bowlers conceded some early boundaries at Headingley today when Essex resumed their first innings on 128 for three after rain had restricted play to just 43 overs yesterday on the opening day of the Championship season.

But just when Yorkshire were beginning to flag, Steve Kirby grabbed two wickets in one over to leave Essex on 159 for five.

The improved weather boosted the attendance and when the sun burst through, opener Will Jefferson, unbeaten on 60 overnight, celebrated by leaning into his shot and placing Chris Silverwood backward of point for four.

Jefferson, whose 50 had contained ten boundaries, had shown excellent form right from the start of the innings, and his fourth-wicket partner, Mark Pettini, also looked in good nick and he guided a full toss from John Blain to the third man fence.

Blain was not as accurate as he should have been and his poor line was punished by Pettini, who hit him through mid-wicket when he strayed to leg and then drove the next ball elegantly through extra cover for another boundary.

There was a streaky boundary for Jefferson when Silverwood found the edge and, at 148 for three, Steve Kirby took over from Blain at the football stand end but his first ball was cut for four by Pettini.

The first 24 runs of the day had all come in boundaries, taking Essex to 152 for three at which stage a single broke the sequence.

The fourth-wicket stand had moved on to 66 and was proving troublesome, Yorkshire being in need of a wicket to stop Essex taking control. Too many deliveries were ill-directed, however, and Simon Guy had to fling himself to his left to stop a wild legside delivery from Silverwood.

At 159 for three in 54 overs, the 6ft 10in Jefferson had moved on to 74 and Pettini was 28.

So far the bowling was below yesterday's standard when Ian Harvey and Blain each claimed their maiden Championship wickets for Yorkshire and Silverwood also chipped in.

Silverwood, still plugging away at the Kirkstall Lane end, moved a ball just past the edge of Pettini's bat, but it was Kirby who broke the stand by getting the valuable wicket of Jefferson, who flicked him straight into the waiting hands of Michael Lumb at short square leg.

Jefferson had made 74 with 13 fours off 166 balls in a stand of 72 in 29 overs with Pettini, and Kirby struck again in the same over as new batsman James Foster edged to Matthew Wood at second slip as Essex slipped to 159 for five.

Updated: 13:57 Thursday, April 22, 2004