A wonderful knock from Yorkshire Carnegie’s wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy has put them in a strong position at the change of innings against the Derbyshire Falcons.

Chasing a third successive Clydesdale Bank 40 victory, the South African hit 93 not out as the Tykes posted 241 for four from their 40 overs.

His heroics were much needed for the Tykes after Derbyshire had initially bowled well to restrict Yorkshire on a pitch which seems slow and difficult to score on.

By the mid-way point of the innings they had only reached 88, with Andrew Gale (10), Jacques Rudolph (26) and Adam Lyth (38) all departing.

Then Brophy came to the middle to join Bradford-born Anthony McGrath at the crease and the fireworks began.

Between them they added 82 for the fourth wicket to move the score onto 170 for four in the 33rd over, before McGrath was caught on the boundary by Tom Lungley off Jake Needham for 40.

The run-rate didn’t slow down though, with fellow Bradfordian Adil Rashid (22 not out) then providing the support for Brophy to add a further 71 runs from the remaining 46 balls.

It means Derbyshire require 242 to win at a run-rate of more than 6 an over.