Bairstow and Cliff leave leaders Somerset wobbling at Headingley

Somerset's bid for a first County Championship title stumbled on day one at Headingley.

The Division One leaders closed on 68 for five from 28 overs, still 144 runs behind Yorkshire. Yorkshire had been bowled out for 212 earlier on 15 September in the penultimate-round match, scheduled for 15-18 September in Leeds BBC Sport.

The stakes could hardly be tighter. Somerset arrived in Leeds top of the table and chasing the club's maiden championship. Only five points covered Somerset, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire heading into the final fortnight.

Yorkshire's final home game of the summer began in trouble. They were 49 for two, then 77 for four after 25 overs. By 85 for five, Somerset were on top.

Captain Jonny Bairstow changed the mood. He top-scored with 79 from 111 balls. It was a brisk, counter-attacking innings when his side needed stability.

He found support in George Hill, who made 45. The pair added 83 for the sixth wicket, the partnership between the sixth pair to bat that pulls an innings round after a top-order collapse. That stand carried Yorkshire past 150 and then past 200.

Somerset had to work hard for their wickets. Captain Lewis Gregory took three for 46 from 18 overs. Seamer Migael Pretorius claimed three for 51.

Then the game swung again. Somerset crashed to 24 for four in reply to 212. Their batters had no answer to the new ball.

Seamer Ben Cliff led the fightback with three for 31. It was his first three-wicket haul in an innings in red-ball cricket, the four-day first-class version of the game. Yorkshire kept the pressure on into the evening session and left the leaders five down.

For fans, this means the title race is suddenly alive on day one. A first-innings lead would put Yorkshire in control. It would also force Somerset to bat last on a pitch that will only wear across four days.

Somerset finish the season against Surrey at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton Somerset County Cricket Club. Nottinghamshire started this season as reigning champions. The final round begins on 24 September, so there is little room left to recover from a slow start in Leeds.