A delighted Steve Patterson admitted his surprise at the manner of Yorkshire’s come-from-behind win over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Yorkshire secured a 90-run success as, defending a target of 188, they bowled Notts out for just 97 inside 30 overs.
The 21-point victory is their second on the bounce at the start of the Bob Willis Trophy North Group, and it puts them four points behind leaders Derbyshire, who visit Emerald Headingley on Saturday.
When Notts, who earlier in the match claimed a first-innings lead of 91, started their pursuit of 188 mid-morning, they were slight favourites.
The used pitch was playing pretty well, despite some turn and uneven bounce, and Yorkshire’s bowling attack was missing some key personnel.
In new ball seamer Dom Leech and off-spinner Jack Shutt, they had two youngsters who had not taken a first-class wicket prior to this fixture.
But both were brilliant today as Yorkshire, inspired by a three-wicket new ball burst from Duanne Olivier, ensured Notts’ wait for a first first-class win since June 2018 continues.
Captain Patterson said: “It’s been very pleasing. It’s been an interesting few days.
“After 40-4 on the first day, we were in a precarious position. But the way Harry Brook played initially to help get us back to some kind of score with Jonny Tattersall was impressive.
“Then, the way Jordan Thompson (98 in the first innings) played at the end was fantastic.
“We ended up getting 50 more than we expected.
“We knew with a young attack it would be hard work against an experienced Notts team. But we chipped away hard in that first innings.
“We were a little bit disappointed with the end. The way Tom Moores played meant they got 40 or 50 more than we felt they should.
“A 90 odd-run deficit going into the second innings was going to be tough, especially when we lost Tom Kohler-Cadmore second over.
“But Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow showed their experience and quality to put us back into some kind of position. Then Tatts with Brooky and Tommo got us up to a score we felt gave us a chance.
“That was all it was initially, but we stuck hard at the task.
“They played it a bit differently to how we expected, and we ran out winners by 90 runs.
“I believe Notts are one of the strongest sides in our group in terms of experience and ability. But they are a team who haven’t won for a while. Sometimes when that happens, you almost forget how to win.
“I felt there was a little element of that in the fourth innings.
“It wasn’t a huge chase, but the fact we put that pressure on and got a couple of early ones got us on top.
“It was a bit surprising how it went at the end. We thought it was going to be a long slog and might get down to the last 20 runs. But for it to happen the way it did, we’re delighted.”
Former South African Test quick Olivier claimed three wickets either side of lunch to spark the Notts collapse.
It was his first game back having missed the opening round win at Durham because of a lack of preparation having had to quarantine for a week upon his return from South Africa early last month.
Patterson said: “It’s different on pitches which seam a bit more and have a bit more grass on them because the slower bowlers like myself or Tommo can have a similar impact.
“But when the pitch is not doing a huge amount, someone with his height and pace creates opportunities the rest of us wouldn’t.
“The way he started off the innings there and got us into a position of strength, I was delighted for him.”
Both Leech and Shutt claimed two wickets in the match.
Leech removed Haseeb Hameed in both innings, while off-spinner Shutt took two of the last four second-innings wickets to fall having struggled in the first innings, conceding 49 runs in eight overs.
Patterson added: “Leechy’s 19-years-old, but he challenged these players. He didn’t just tie an end up, he looked threatening. It’s a really positive sign going forwards.
“It’s always difficult for a young spinner anyway.
“Shutty’s only playing his second game and didn’t bowl a huge amount of overs at Durham.
“You come to a pitch previously used, and there’s a lot of talk about it being a tired surface and spin’s going to play a part. It puts a lot of pressure on a young lad.
“Perhaps that pressure got to him in the first innings, and he tried too hard.
“But it worked out that it was a really nice time to bowl in the second innings. I think they were about 80-6 when he came on.
“To get those wickets, I was very pleased for him.”