Richard Pyrah scored his maiden first-class century in Yorkshire's three-day match against Loughborough UCCE at Headingley Carnegie today.

Pyrah, who paced his innings well, reached the landmark with three consecutive boundaries off Richard King and he was out shortly before the close for 106 from 177 deliveries with ten fours.

Yorkshire ended the second day by declaring on 383 for six and there were half-centuries for Andrew Gale and Chris Gilbert, with all of the other batsmen also making useful contributions.

After rain had restricted play to just 18.2 overs on the first day, there were further delays because of damp conditions this morning, and when the Yorkshire innings finally resumed on 43 for one only 27 minutes of action were possible before light rain caused an early lunch to be taken.

Gale quickly made Loughborough pay a heavy price for dropping him three times earlier in his innings by playing some powerful strokes, including two pick-ups for six over mid-wicket off Jonathan Hughes who had to be withdrawn from the attack for a while.

But when he had reached 68 off 114 balls with ten fours and two sixes he attempted another big hit, this time off Richard King, and fell to a beautifully-judged catch on the boundary edge by Chris Murtagh.

Andrew Lyth also showed plenty of promise with a stylish 31 before falling lbw to Thomas Parsons offering no stroke and Pyrah and Gilbert quickly settled into a 92 stand which was dominated by Gilbert, who smacked two sixes in an over off Jigar Naik to complete his half-century off only 38 balls.

His chance of a century on debut disappeared when he was trapped lbw by Steven Wheeler but Pyrah continued to show plenty of determination and eased his way past his previous best first-class score for Yorkshire of 78 against Worcestershire at New Road two years' ago.

Simon Guy (37) and David Wainwright (46 not out) hurried the score along but there was just insufficient time left for Wainwright to complete his half-century.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire fast bower Deon Kruis, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, will test out his fitness on Saturday by playing for his former club, Crompton, in the Central Lancashire League.

If Kruis suffers no ill-effect, he will come into the reckoning for Yorkshire Phoenix's Roses battle at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Friends Provident Trophy.

But the South African Kolpak player is not certain to be selected even then because director of cricket Martyn Moxon is very happy with the bowling performance of the team which played Worcestershire Royals in the rain-ruined match at Headingley last Sunday.

"If Deon is fit it will leave us with a difficult selection decision," admitted Moxon who may be reluctant to leave out Pyrah after his two for 31 in ten accurate overs in that game, plus a breathtaking one-handed catch at point to get rid of Vikram Solanki.