RYAN SIDEBOTTOM led Yorkshire’s race to the title, claiming a six-wicket haul as they wrapped up victory over Nottinghamshire in just over an hour’s play at Trent Bridge, writes Myles Hodgson.

The White Rose resumed the final day needing a further five wickets to seal their first LV= County Championship triumph in 13 years, and it was the only surviving member of that successful side who was at the forefront of the charge as he claimed four of the five.

Bowling unchanged for 7.2 overs from the Pavilion End, Sidebottom epitomised Yorkshire’s determination to begin the celebrations as soon as possible - with the champagne corks popping the moment substitute fielder Richard Pyrah caught James Taylor at point at 11.36am.

It had taken Sidebottom only ten balls to make the breakthrough in the morning as Nottinghamshire resumed, 180 runs adrift, on 149-5, angling the ball into nightwatchman Gary Keedy’s stumps and beating his tentative forward defensive shot.

But the key wicket came in his next over, as he removed the potentially dangerous Chris Read, Nottinghamshire’s captain, who had scored an unbeaten 81 in the first innings to help reduce Yorkshire’s massive lead. This time, Read edged behind for two and was gone.

Yorkshire now sensed their crown was close and Sidebottom moved them ever nearer by inducing an edge from Luke Fletcher which flew low to Adam Lyth at second slip, who took a tumbling catch.

Sidebottom’s personal surge towards the title was briefly interrupted by the introduction of Adil Rashid from the Radcliffe Road End as a replacement for Jack Brooks.

Rashid’s leg spin took only five balls to make its mark, with Jake Ball falling lbw after pushing out his pad in line with the stumps.

Only three overs later, Sidebottom claimed his fourth wicket of his spell to seal the title and kick off the celebrations.