County Champions Yorkshire entered the 238th Roses match at Headingley today in circumstances which could not have been further removed from last season's home encounter which brought up the first part of a winning double against Lancashire.

The stunning victory, in which Darren Lehmann plundered a record Roses score of 252, put Yorkshire firmly on the path to the Championship title - a far different scenario to the present game which sees Yorkshire rock bottom of the table and Lancashire only one place above them.

It's a match which Yorkshire need to win because they will be left completely stranded unless they start stringing together some victories pretty soon.

Lancashire are in lots of trouble themselves but they have the advantage of a 17.5 points cushion over Yorkshire and also enjoy a game in hand.

If Yorkshire do not win the Roses match it is difficult to see when, if ever, they will break their duck this season because next week they visit Championship leaders Surrey at Guildford.

At the half-way stage of the season, coach Wayne Clark still believes that Yorkshire can win five of their last eight matches and avoid relegation but it's a tall order and gets tougher as each game drifts by.

Although Darren Gough was due to play his first Championship match of the season to day, a final decision will not be taken until just before the toss when he will report on any soreness which may still remain in his knee.

England are anxious for Gough to get in a first-class game ahead of next week's first Test but from Yorkshire's point of view they need to be sure that he is fit enough to bowl flat out in the Roses clash.