STEVE Patterson and Duanne Olivier both hailed a hard-fought Yorkshire performance as they secured victory over Kent at Canterbury.

The White Rose won their second Specsavers County Championship match of the season and remain unbeaten after three.

This one, a 172-run success, was clinched after tea on day four with 15.1 overs to spare and yielded 20 points.

Yorkshire are second in the Division One table, just two points behind leaders Somerset.

“The first couple of games went pretty well,” said captain Patterson.

“We had a little break for the 50-over stuff, but we felt in good form coming into the game in red ball cricket, and we seem like we picked up where we left off. So we’re delighted with the victory.

“It was a tough game this week, and we’ve had to really work hard and earn the right to win.

“From being 90 odd for six on the first morning and 120-7, to somehow put ourselves in a position to win by nearly 200 runs is a testament to the lads’ work over the four days.”

This game had similarities to the Hampshire win at the Ageas Bowl last month, in that Yorkshire had to dig in on a pitch which slowed up.

Patterson continued: “We toiled very hard for three-and-a-half days and we’ve got our rewards.

“After those first couple sessions, we picked it up. I’d say we were on top after that.

“That second morning taking only one wicket was difficult, but we came back well after lunch and got five in the session. From then, we drove the game.”

Gary Ballance and Jack Leaning stood out with the bat, while Ben Coad and Duanne Olivier led the way with the ball.

Patterson said: “If you’re going to win a game like that, you need more than one person to chip in. Gary’s hundred was outstanding and Coady’s six-for today, but everybody made their own contributions and pushed us towards getting there in the end.”

Yorkshire had to do without Tim Bresnan for the majority of day four due a calf injury, the severity of which will only be clear after a scan.

Hostile Olivier impressively backed up new ball partner Coad, who claimed nine wickets in the match, with hauls of three wickets and two wickets.

The South African said: “It was a hard-fought victory.

“Credit to their lower order batsmen, they stuck it out. Their night-watchman, Fred Klaasen, batted really well.

“But we just stuck to our basics. Patience was key for us.

“It took a very long time to get over the line, but as a team and as an individual, I’m very happy with the team performance. It gives us massive confidence going into the Hampshire game (at Emerald Headingley a week on Monday).

“I just try to do the best for the team.

“In the first innings when they were playing quite well, I decided to do something different and wanted to ruffle up the batsmen with a few words. It paid off.

“There was a little bit more bounce in this wicket, but in the fourth innings some stayed low.”

Olivier was a menace all game, intimidating all of Kent’s batsmen and hitting two on the head with bouncers.

“I do enjoy bowling short, but the important thing is the win,” he added.

“It’s a great win. We got 20 points, and every one is crucial. If we can keep doing what we’re doing at the moment, we’ll get rewarded when it really matters.

“We were a bowler down with Bres going down, but everyone stuck their hand up.

“We should give a special mention to Coady. The way he bowled was superb.”