GARETH Berg feared being dropped before taking his first five-for for five years – and his first in the first division of the Specsavers County Championship.

Last season’s Player of the Year took 5-54 as Hampshire restricted defending champions Yorkshire to 254-9 at The Ageas Bowl.

Berg, who had taken ten wickets at 47 apiece in seven Championship matches before Yorkshire’s visit, said: “I had doubts going into the game, I looked at my average and there was a doubt in my mind as to whether I should have been picked. But then I saw a few nibble around and thought ‘this is my wicket’.

“It’s been one of those seasons where I’ve beaten the bat a lot and haven’t been rewarded but today everything I tried came off.”

Berg took 42 wickets at 28 apiece last season but had not taken a five-for since his career-best 6-58 for Middlesex against Glamorgan in September 2011.

Yesterday’s haul ranks as one of the most satisfying of his career and was also welcomed by his former county as they try to pip Yorkshire to the title.

“I’ve had a few tweets from Middlesex supporters,” he smiled. “It’s been a long old slog, but this is one of my favourites - my first [five-for] in division one and against a great side like Yorkshire.”

Berg began the final session with a five-over spell of 3-13 to complete only his fourth first-class five-for and his first in 25 appearances for Hampshire.

Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale had elected to bat under bright skies, which quickly turned overcast.

Alex Lees nicked Brad Wheal to Will Smith at wide gully in the tenth over. Smith also held onto a stunning low one-handed catch following a powerful Adam Lyth cut.

Gary Ballance was given two lives by England teammate James Vince – who put the left-hander down on six and seven at third slip - before tickling an away-swinger to a diving Lewis McManus to become Berg’s first victim.

Jake Lehmann, another left-hander and nephew of Hampshire coach Craig White, top scored with a fluent 58 (73 balls), his maiden Championship fifty, before nicking Berg to second slip - where Jimmy Adams held on to a wonderful catch.

Tim Bresnan (56) and Andy Hodd added 73 before Berg’s incisive third spell. Bresnan was beaten through the gate and Hodd was bowled by Berg’s next ball. Berg completed his five-for when some extra bounce accounted for Azeem Rafiq.

Yorkshire were 234-9 when Steven Patterson was well caught by Tom Alsop off Mason Crane at short leg - but Jack Brooks and Ryan Sidebottom frustrated Hampshire with an unbroken tenth-wicket stand of 41. before bad light lopped 11 overs from the day.

Hampshire bowling: McLaren 20-3-76-2, Wheal 17-4-60-1, Berg 23-5-54-5, Carter 9-1-27-0, Ervine 5-0-13-0, Crane 11-1-30-1