Matthew Wood survived a late batting collapse to end unbeaten on 124 as Yorkshire reached 291 for four in reply to Glamorgan's first innings of 466 at Colwyn Bay yesterday.

At 260 for one Yorkshire looked capable of posting a first innings lead, but the sudden loss of three key wickets for 31 runs in 12 overs has left them in danger of losing the match.

It was Wood's fourth century of the season and when he had made 72 he became the first Yorkshire batsman to reach 1,000 Championship runs.

The army of travelling fans were appreciative of Yorkshire's positive approach but less than enamoured with remarks on radio by chief executive Colin Graves that he favoured an eight-match County Championship with more money-making Twenty-20 games.

Without exception, they were furious at such a suggestion and several said they would rip up their membership cards if it were to happen.

One member commented: "I always thought Graves was good at his job and knew what he was doing but I have changed my opinion now. I am sure that scores of members would quit the club if there were only eight Championship matches, it is a ridiculous idea."

Graves' comments follow Michael Vaughan's assertion that the treadmill of county cricket does not prepare players for Test cricket but Yorkshire supporters feel that England should stop making feeble excuses for their Headingley defeat and just accept they played badly.

Bradford-born Alex Wharf and Australian Michael Kasprowicz were themselves roundly criticised by Glamorgan fans when they accepted an invitation to come off for bad light on Monday evening but they soon atoned by taking their partnership to 137 - an eighth-wicket Glamorgan record against Yorkshire.

Wharf led the blitz with nine fours and four sixes and he had rushed to 79 from 115 deliveries when Andy Gray had him caught behind by Richard Blakey. Kasprowicz was dismissed for 51 with five fours and two sixes in the next over from McGrath who had just also got rid of Dean Harrison.

The best of the bowlers was Chris Silverwood with four for 56 but Steve Kirby was left to wince at figures of two for 158, the most runs ever conceded to Glamorgan batsmen by a Yorkshire bowler. So good is the pitch at Colwyn Bay, that Glamorgan's 466 was the lowest first innings score on the ground in five years and Wood and Fleming wasted no time in racing Yorkshire towards the 317 required to avoid the follow on.

Fleming was dropped early on by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace off left-armer Dean Cosker but it was the only scary moment until Fleming had contributed 61 to an opening stand of 104. He was then caught off bat and bad by Adrian Dale pushing forward at Robert Croft after striking six fours and a six and facing 114 balls.

McGrath was swiftly into his stride, driving Croft smoothly for six, and runs gushed as both he and Wood galloped along. Their partnership cruised into three figures in 29 overs and Wood's own century arrived off 214 balls with his 17th four.

McGrath left behind his previous best score this season of 86 and a century was there for the taking but on 92 he top-edged a sweep at Cosker and lobbed a simple catch to Michael Powell. He had put on 155 with Wood in 47 overs.

The day ended on a sour note for Yorkshire as Michael Lumb and Yuvraj Singh were bowled by Croft and Cosker respectively, leaving Wood to fight on with 20 boundaries already alongside his name.