TRAVIS Head’s half-century on his Specsavers County Championship Division One debut proved to be a rare highlight for Yorkshire during a tough start to their clash with Warwickshire.

Resuming on 62-2 after lunch, captain Andrew Gale survived a big leg-before appeal from the first ball of the session delivered by Keith Barker, only to depart soon after for 12 as he edged the same bowler through to Tim Ambrose.

At the other end, Head (54) displayed some impressive strokeplay in bringing up his fifty, only to fall three balls after reaching the milestone as he cut Barker straight to Andrew Umeed at gully.

Adil Rashid (6) was unable to offer much resistance before edging Jeetan Patel to Rikki Clarke at slip, but Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan showed admirable concentration, particularly during a testing spell of off-spin from Patel.

The pair put together an unbroken stand of 42 as the hosts took tea on 172-5.

The White Rose county had earlier lost openers Alex Lees (10) and Adam Lyth (24) in the morning session, having won the toss and elected to bat.

Lees was adjudged lbw to Rikki Clarke before Lyth – having played some eye-catching shots – feathered an edge through to Ambrose off former Yorkshire bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby.