YORKSHIRE Phoenix lost top place in the totesport League Division Two table to Middlesex Crusaders who beat them by 29 runs in an entertaining match reduced by rain to 24-overs-a-side at Headingley yesterday, writes DAVID WARNER.

Although Middlesex thrashed the ball around in dashing to 209 for seven they were assisted by an injury scare to Matthew Hoggard who retired hurt with a jarred right knee after sending down his fourth delivery.

The England paceman hobbled off for ice pack treatment and it will be later today before the damage can be properly assessed but with the first Test against the West Indies starting on July 22 everyone is hoping the injury is not too serious.

Hoggard's quick exit meant Chris Silverwood had to replace him earlier than expected and once again he proved expensive with the shiny white ball, going for 28 after his first full over was a maiden which included the wicket of Paul Weekes.

But acting captain, Ben Hutton, grandson of Sir Leonard and playing in his first game at Headingley, was then joined in a hard-hitting stand of 106 in only ten overs by Owais Shah.

Hutton, who survived a sharp chance in the covers before he had scored and was put down at mid-off on six by Michael Lumb, drove John Blain fiercely for a straight six but was bowled by a quicker one from Richard Dawson for 41 off 35 balls with six other boundary shots.

Shah, batting powerfully and with great style, dashed to 81 from 56 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes before he hit Tim Bresnan high to Dawson at cover point.

Dawson was the pick of the bowlers with one for 27 but Vic Craven collected four wickets - at a cost of 50 runs. Among his victims was Nick Compton, grandson of Denis, and he fell trying to emulate his grandfather's sweep but he scooped the ball into the air and was caught behind the corner by Bresnan.

Yorkshire began badly, losing Matthew Wood in the first over when he edged Chad Keegan's third ball to Weekes at second slip, but Andy Gale and Phil Jaques made a valiant attempt to turn the tide with a century stand in just 11 overs.

Gale attempted too many reverse sweeps and in the end he fell over trying to hit a legside ball from off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple and was stumped off a wide.

As long as Jaques survived Yorkshire were in with a shout but after hammering 70 from 46 balls with five fours and three sixes he top-edged a sweep at Dalrymple and lobbed a catch to Weekes who was specially positioned at leg slip.

At 132 for three in 16 overs, Yorkshire were rapidly running out of time and they were pegged back even further as Dalrymple and fellow spinner Weekes each bowled a tight line.

Bresnan, promoted in the order, batted well for his 39, but when the ninth wicket went down at 180 off the penultimate ball of the match, Middlesex were winners because the injured Hoggard did not come out to bat.