YORKSHIRE claimed a third successive Royal London One-day Cup win today by beating Leicestershire at Headingley to take a stranglehold on a quarter-final place.

The Vikings prevailed by 31 runs in a match which saw both sides fail to take full advantage of excellent starts with the bat, and they have now won four of six Group A matches and had one rained off.

It may be that the joint group leaders do not need to win another one of their remaining two matches to qualify.

But they will be targeting a top-two finish and a home tie in the last eight for the second year running, and will hope to continue their good form against Somerset at Scarborough on Wednesday.

A crowd of 4,021 saw Alex Lees top score with 75 in Yorkshire’s 277-9 before the Foxes, who won the toss, slipped from 159-2 in the 35th over of their chase to 246 all out with a ball left.

Will Rhodes enjoyed a day to remember with 46 from number four, having been promoted due to the absence of Gary Ballance with a tight hamstring, a decision which England had a significant say in.

All-rounder Rhodes later claimed two key wickets in the 38th over as Angus Robson was caught at short mid-wicket for 90 and the inventive Niall O’Brien was bowled.

Matt Fisher returned a career best 3-32 from seven overs, including bowling visiting captain and opener Mark Cosgrove with his second ball in the tenth over.

“I think the lads bowled and fielded extremely well,” said Gillespie. “Everyone contributed. There was a real calmness out in the field, and the lads got their skills right.

“We have spoken a lot over the last week or so about our 50-over cricket. There’s been some big conversations in the dressing room.

“We’ve spoken enough times, now ‘just do our jobs’. The bowlers are very clear with what they’re trying to do. That was the most pleasing thing.”

Yorkshire were on course for a score of 300 plus having reached 198-2 in the 36th over, with Lees sharing 80 in 15 overs for the first wicket with Andrew Hodd and 69 for the third inside 13 with Rhodes.

But they were hamstrung by the loss of Lees and Jack Leaning in the space of three balls to left-arm seamer Rob Taylor in the 36th.

Thankfully, Yorkshire’s stutter was nowhere near as costly as Leicestershire’s.

“Our score proved to be enough in the end. I thought our last 15 overs with the bat, we could have been a bit better,” added Gillespie. “However, the work we did to get to the 35th over, 190-2, we set a wonderful platform.”

Meanwhile, Yorkshire unveiled the new Dickie Bird players’ balcony today in front of the dressing rooms during the mid-innings interval. Club president Bird has personally funded the construction at a cost of £125,000.

“You can’t have a Test ground without a balcony,” said Bird, who admits there are still some finishing touches needed. “You’ve got to mentally prepare before you go out to bat.

“I’m just pleased it’s all being done before the one-day international (in September) when the Aussies come here. The Aussies, the last time they were here, played hell with the dressing room facilities.”