HUDDERSFIELD-based league bowlers played a key part as Yorkshire beat rivals Shropshire by 37 points (439-402) in their opening British County Championship game.
But with Cumbria providing a surprise 52-point (444-392) win against North Lancs and Fylde, there's still all to play for to ensure qualification is guaranteed.
Yorkshire's home team chose Meltham No1 green and won by 29 points (216-187).
Wind and sporadic showers didn't benefit the home players particularly, with Lockwood Con's Wayne Moseley edged out 21-19 by Derek Wright and Netherton's Steven Hirst losing 21-16 but he picked up valuable points fighting back from 14-3 down at one stage against former British Crown Green Merit runner-up Peter Farmer.
But Graeme Wilson's performance, after returning to the home team at No2 - produced a stunning man-of-the-match winning 21-2 victory - which steadied the ship and allowed Yorkshire to gain confidence and press for the victory.
And Netherton's Ashley Daykin produced a decisive run of five consecutive two's in his 21-5 victory.
In the away team which travelled to Pontesbury, new skipper Paul Sigsworth, of Netherton, won 21-15 and there were other good wins for Chris Mordue (Brighouse Sports) who beat Keith Wall 21-10 and Alverthorpe's Nigel Cranston, playing at No12, notched a 21-11 success to seal victory against last year's Supplementary Cup winners Shropshire.
Yorkshire are next in action against North Lancs and Fylde on Sunday, June 3.
How they went on
At Meltham No1: W Moseley (Lockwood Con) 19 D Wright (Wem USC) 21, G Wilson (Lower Hopton) 21 C Weaver (Chester Rd) 2, R Wormald (Brighouse Spts) 21 D Edwards (Pontesbury) 14, S Hirst (Netherton Con) 16 P Farmer (St Georges) 21, L Schofield (Lower Hopton) 12 J Breeze (St Georges) 21, A Daykin (Netherton Con) 21 S Clarke (Sir John Bayley) 5, R Bentley (Cleckheaton Spts) 10 R Morris (Wrockwardine Wood) 21, A Sykes (Mirfield OB) 16 D Rhodes (St Georges) 21, G Higgins (Ossett FH) 21 T Rhodes (St Georges) 15, M Robinson (Morton Hse) 21 M Lloyd (Chester Rd) 16, S Pinfield (Lower Hopton) 21 A Palin (St Georges) 9, R Hitchen (Lower Hopton) 17 A Moss (Chester Rd) 21.
Total: Yorkshire 216 Shropshire 187.
At Pontesbury BC: C Newton (Alverthorpe) 16 G Herbert (Castlefields) 21, N Webster (Alverthorpe) 14 S Parsonage (Castlefields) 21, P Sigsworth (Netherton Con) 21 C Flattley (Castlefields) 15, P Jagger (Spen Vic) 10 R Goddard (Castlefields) 21, G Nicholson (Lower Hopton) 20 C Wraight (Castlefields) 21, G Smith (Lower Hopton) 21 P Williams (Castlefields) 18, I Bottomley (Lower Hopton) 17 W Rogers (Burway) 21, C Mordue (Brighouse Spts) 21 K Wall (Greenfields) 10, R Nicholson (Lower Hopton) 20 C Beaman (Meole Brace) 21, R Carroll (Pudsey Littlemoor) 21 W Phillips (Meole Brace) 17, G Hickey (Lower Hopton) 21 B Keep (Castlefields) 18, N Cranston (Crossgates) 21 A Duckett (Chester Rd) 11.
Total: Yorkshire 223 Shropshire 215.
* Longwood had three winners against Garswood Hall in last week's Manchester Premier League match despite losing 194-142, with newcomers Dan Beeby and Ray Whitwam recording their first victories in the section.
Tonight, the Dodlee Lane club, host Budenburgs - the only undefeated team in the League with Longwood looking for a first win.
