Yorkshire's chances of taking maximum batting bonus points were dashed at Chelmsford today when the tail refused to wag and they were bowled out for 311 in 114.2 overs by Essex.

They resumed on another fine morning on 304 for seven in 108 overs but hopes of making it to 350 were badly dented in the second over of the day when Richard Blakey pushed half forward at Mark Ilott and was lbw for eight with just three added.

Ian Fisher joined fellow left-hander Ryan Sidebottom and got off the mark with a push for two through mid-wicket against Ashley Cowan and a steer to third man for a single from the next ball.

But Cowan then tested Sidebottom with a short delivery which whistled past his helmet and the next ball found the edge to be taken at second slip by Stuart Law.

Last man Matthew Hoggard did not last long, being caught behind by Barry Hyam to bring Cowan his second wicket of the morning.

Yorkshire yesterday picked up three batting bonus points for the first time this season and much of their success was due to a century from Michael Vaughan who made exactly 100 with 15 boundaries before being caught at mid-off driving at off-spinner Peter Such.

It was Vaughan's 13th century for Yorkshire and his first of the championship campaign after six innings had brought him only 68 runs.

Vaughan was relieved to see his edge off Jamie Grove put down at second slip by Law when he was on 29 but the opener was otherwise in sound form and he did not give another chance.

His second wicket partnership with David Byas was worth 137 in 37 overs - the first century stand for any wicket by Yorkshire this season - and Byas was driving the ball crisply until he was caught at mid-on in former Yorkshire left-armer Paul Grayson's first over.

Matthew Wood worked hard for his first half century of the season, his 50 coming off 161 balls with ten fours, one of which was the result of overthrows and the other all-run. Wood was well caught at short mid-wicket off Such who earlier had dismissed Anthony McGrath second ball as the batsman foolishly lined himself up for an extravagant sweep only to play off bat and paid straight into the hands of Ian Flanagan at short leg.

There was also a good innings of 44 from Craig White who broke the grip Such had imposed on the innings by driving him for two spiralling sixes.

Yorkshire made an early breakthrough when Essex began their innings when Chris Silverwood dismissed Paul Prichard, caught by Matthew Wood for seven in the fourth over. It left Essex on 14 for one.

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