PHIL Jaques produced his best innings of the season so far to help Yorkshire post 236 for 8 from their allotted overs in this afternoon's YB40 clash against Middlesex.

The Australian powered his way to 81 as the Vikings set the Panthers 237 to win at Radlett CC, which is hosting its maiden first-class game today.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, captain Andrew Gale (11) and fellow opener Rich Pyrah (6) fell cheaply, before Jaques and Gary Ballance put on 85 for the third wicket to help steer the Vikings into a strong position.

Ballance was eventually ousted for 40 by Gareth Berg, before Adam Lyth helped add 50 runs for the fourth wicket with Jaques to take the score to 153 for 3.

Both batsmen would then fall in the same over to James Harris though, and although Tim Bresnan was ousted for a duck on his return from England duty, some impressive late hitting from Adil Rashid helped the Vikings bolster their total. He finished on 46 not out.