A solid display and victory over Glamorgan on Sunday lifted the Tykes into second position in the table and of other results go for them they can now make sure of promotion if they beat Warwickshire in a day-nighter at Headingley Carnegie next Tuesday.

While the eventual winning margin of 49 runs owed something to the complex Duckworth-Lewis method, there was no doubting that Yorkshire were going to easily beat an ordinary Glamorgan side surprisingly in second place themselves before the start of Sunday's play at Scarborough.

Careful early batting and some explosive hitting later on from Jacques Rudolph (84) and Anthony McGrath (73) helped the hosts to a healthy 230-6 total and their Welsh opponents never looked like getting anywhere near their target as they lost wickets every time they seemed to be making progress.

Seamers Rana Naved (2-26), Richard Pyrah (2-31) and Deon Kruis (1-26) were all impressive as Glamorgan reached 135-7 when bad light deemed dangerous by the umpires brought a halt to play with the visitors a mile behind on the D-L calculations.

More of the same commitment will now be required against Warwickshire and, if needed, in the final Pro40 match of the season at Northants on Saturday week.

Before then comes a return to Championship action against Sussex, again at Scarborough, and here there is an equal need for a win as Yorkshire still find themselves second from bottom in Division One following a missed opportunity against Kent.

After dominating the first three days of the game and establishing a 230-run first innings lead, Yorkshire were somehow clinging on at the end as they failed to reach the 204 target and almost unbelievably lost, finishing on 175-9. They did earn maximum bonus points, but were left kicking themselves as a win would have lifted them up fifth place and eased the pressure ahead of a game against a Sussex side that stands only five points ahead of them going into this week's match.

Anthony McGrath has been awarded a benefit season in 2009 by Yorkshire.

The current vice-captain progressed through the Yorkshire ranks before making his county debut in 1995 and being awarded his county cap in 1999. He played four Test Matches for England in 2004 with a batting average of 40.20 and a bowling average of 14.00 and also played in 14 One-Day Internationals.

Although supporters have pushed for an England recall the county's faithful have been more than happy watching him wear the white rose with pride and England's loss has definitely been Yorkshire's gain. McGrath has mixed belligerent defence with big hitting to become the bedrock of the Yorkshire middle order.

With over 11,000 first class runs and nearly 8,000 runs in limited overs cricket, Anthony has been one of the most consistent performers on the county circuit. His contribution with ball in hand is not to be underestimated either as he has taken 108 first class wickets at 34.23 and also 90 one-day scalps.

"It is a great honour to be awarded a benefit season," said McGrath.

"To play at a club like this for 15 years, to be capped and now to get a benefit is fantastic. I grew up watching all of the famous capped Yorkshire players on television and I played with a lot of famous players when I started at the club, so to get a benefit now myself and follow in their footsteps is a really great feeling."