Yorkshire took the new ball against Durham at Riverside soon after the start of the second day but skipper David Boon continued to build on his century in a frustrating eighth wicket partnership with Melvyn Betts which was finally ended by Matthew Hoggard.

Durham resumed on 311 for seven off 100 overs with the uncompromising Boon on 120, the Australian's fifth and highest first century for his adopted county.

The decision by Yorkshire skipper David Byas to insert Durham yesterday had not worked out as he would have hoped and he needed his bowlers to finish off the innings as soon as possible.

Although the new ball was due immediately today, Byas allowed Richard Stemp one over with the old one in order to allow Hoggard to operate from the opposite end to which he sent down the final over last night.

Stemp began with a maiden to Betts before Paul Hutchison and Hoggard took over with the new ball and Hutchison's first delivery was a full toss which Boon on-drove for three.

Betts then produced a splendid drive through extra cover for another three and the stand moved on to 50 in 20 overs before Hoggard intervened by trimming Betts' off-bail as he missed a drive at a full-length ball.

Yesterday Boon left Yorkshire pondering over the wisdom of their decision to put Durham in to bat on a day of rare sunshine at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

Without the tough Australian's unbeaten 120, however, Durham would have struggled against Yorkshire's inexperienced attack but in the event they were handily placed at the close on 311 for seven.

Boon's century, made on a slow pitch and over a sodden outfield, was the first to be scored by any batsman at Riverside this season and his fifth since joining Durham.

But he had just one big slice of luck when left-armer Richard Stemp had him put down by David Byas at slip off an edge on to Richard Blakey's glove when he was only on 12.

That blemish apart, Boon was in full control and he progressed ruthlessly and efficiently to his century off 263 balls with 11 boundaries.

Although Matthew Hoggard was swiftly punished for his inaccuracies with the new ball he still got an early wicket when Michael Gough pushed firmly into the hands of Matthew Wood at short leg and Lewis's gallop was stopped by Paul Hutchison who trapped him lbw hitting across the line.

Hoggard's opening spell of seven overs cost him 47 runs and Nick Speak continued Durham's brisk approach for a while by moving to 50 out of 89 for two but runs dried up when Stemp came on.

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