Yorkshire swept aside Somerset by an innings and six runs at Scarborough yesterday to end a sequence of two defeats and a draw in their last three matches and consolidate their position in the top three of the Championship table.

The victory would have been even more emphatic but for a furious assault by Somerset's last man Steffan Jones, who plundered 56 off 50 balls while putting on 73 in 12 overs for the tenth wicket with Graham Rose.

It was the first time since the opening match of the season that Yorkshire have collected a maximum 20 points and their revival comes just in time to keep their title challenge alive because they still have a game in hand over leaders Surrey.

The star of the show for Yorkshire was Matthew Hoggard, who thoroughly deserved the presentation of his first team cap on the opening day of the game.

He grabbed five for 50 as Somerset were bowled out for 212 and this gave him a career-best match figures of eight for 97.

Hoggard made his mark in the first full over of the day by breaching Piran Holloway's defences to leave Somerset on 12 for three, still 206 runs away from making Yorkshire bat a second time.

He would have had another early success if either wicketkeeper Richard Blakey or first slip Anthony Mcgrath had made a move when Peter Bowler edged directly between them for a streaky boundary.

Keith Parsons dominated a fourth-wicket stand of 56 with Bowler in which he played some meaty shots, particularly on the legside, and the batsmen were just beginning to get on top when Hoggard returned, this time from the Trafalgar Square end.

His first ball was sliced by Bowler to backward point, where Gary Fellows dived to hold a stunning catch, and three balls later Michael Burns was smartly taken at third slip by Simon Widdup.

Parsons' run spree ended when he drove from the crease at Paul Hutchison but missed and was lbw for 38, nine fours being packed into his cameo innings, while Hoggard was unfortunate to see a sharp chance by Rob Turner to Widdup go down in the slips.

Ian Blackwell and Turner both fell to splendid catches at first slip by McGrath off Silverwood and Hoggard respectively and Yorkshire were on the brink of victory when Peter Trego's off-stump was sent flying by Hutchison before he had scored.

But they had not reckoned on a final flourish from Jones, who battered the bowling on his way to a maiden Championship half-century off 45 deliveries with nine fours.

Jones relished the introduction of Widdup for his first bowl in county cricket by slamming him for four boundaries in his first over but there was some consolation for the occasional off-spinner when Rose stepped in front of his stumps and was lbw for 20 to end the match.

l Marcus Trescothick will play for Somerset Sabres against Yorkshire Phoenix in the National League at Scarborough tomorrow - provided England complete their one-day international final with Zimbabwe at Lord's today.

Trescothick, who has been one of England's star turns in the triangular tournament, has told Somerset captain Jamie Cox he is eager to play at North Marine Road if possible.

"Unless Marcus is detained by England for some reason we expect him to be part of our side for this important match," said Cox, who also confirmed that former Yorkshire fast bowler Paul Jarvis would be in their team.

Although Trescothick hopes to make it tomorrow, Yorkshire have not heard that either Darren Gough or Craig White will be available and the pair have not been included in Phoenix's squad of 13.

Gavin Hamilton is still out because of his side strain and Ryan Sidebottom is missing with the hip injury which caused him to be stretchered off on Wednesday during the Championship match with Somerset.

There is also a doubt about Michael Vaughan, whose ankle problem was bothering him again yesterday. He will have a late fitness test and if he fails to come through it then Simon Widdup will make his National League debut.

Also in the squad but unlikely to play is batsman Scott Richardson but he is virtually certain to make his Yorkshire debut in the three-day match against the West Indies which begins at Headingley on Monday.

Ripon-born batsman John Inglis is also poised to make his first-team debut in the game and if both he and Richardson turn out then Yorkshire will have blooded eight newcomers in first-class matches this season.

If skipper David Byas decides to take a well-earned rest Richard Blakey will lead the side.