Northants coach Ripley admits agonising defeat at Yorkshire was 'gutting' and 'galling'

Sunday's nerve-shredding finale to what had been a topsy-turvy contest ended with the County agonisingly just two runs short of what would have been a famous victory, with Wayne Parnell dismissed as he edged behind a delivery from Yorkshire captain Steve Patterson.

It was especially tough on Parnell, who performed superbly with bat and ball, claiming 10 wickets as well as scoring some crucial runs.

It was his battling innings of 33 from 102 balls that took Northants to the brink of victory, having at one point looked out of the running when they were reduced to 178 for eight in pursuit of 220 to win.

The pressure and drama was intensified when the players were forced off by rain with Northants needing 14 to win, and Yorkshire just one wicket.

When they returned, Parnell and last man Ben Sanderson edged the County to brink of victory, but it wasn't to be, leaving Northants and Ripley were left to reflect on what might have been in Leeds.

“It is gutting. We have put a lot into those four days," said the head coach.

“Coming down to one run, it’s a roll of the dice somewhere over the four days.

“With 14 runs needed going into the (rain) break and Ben Sanderson coming in, it still felt a lot even though we have faith in him.

"Once we’d whittled it down to one hit with the field in, I thought we’d win, but it was wrenched from us.

"Credit to Wayne (Parnell), he’s had a great game.

"To come so close is pretty galling.”

White Rose captain Patterson was understandably delighted, and although he wasn't overly impressed with how his team played over the four days, he was delighted with their team spirit and character.

“I’m not sure I can explain that, it was certainly a roller-coaster," said seam bowler.

“Looking back on it, we’re delighted to win because we haven’t played anywhere near the cricket we’re capable of.

"But what it has shown, the same as last week and the week before, is our team spirit and attitude.

“The way we keep fighting our way back into games despite how we start is a testament to the desire in that dressing room.

“At no point until it got down to probably four runs did I feel we were losing that game. I always felt we’d create one more opportunity.”

The win was Yorkshire's third in four matches, and sees them stay second in the Group 3 table.

They trail Lancashire by just six points, with the Red Rose county also winning their third game, seeing off Sussex by five wickets.

Northants remain fourth, but are now 29 points off the top two pace.

Ripley's side return to County Ground action later this week when they host third-placed Sussex on Thursday.

Match facts

Yorkshire v Northants, Headingley

LV= Insurance County Championship, Group 3

Day four of four

Yorkshire first innings: 206 all out (Parnell 5-64, Berg 3-32, Sanderson 2-48)

Northants first innings: 234 all out ( Zaib 55, Taylor 50, Vasconcelos 47)

Yorkshire second innings: 247 all out (Willey 41no, Parnell 5-79)

Northants second innings: 218 all out (Vasconcelos 41, Parnell 33)

Yorkshire won by one run