NIC POTHAS reckons Hampshire had a golden first innings against title favourites Yorkshire at Headingley.

Pothas punched the air after reaching an invaluable hundred with a lofted drive for four against Matthew Hoggard.

He batted for nearly four hours from the start of the second session and said: "At lunch we said we would be very happy with 250 so to get 322 is gold.

"It's not an easy wicket, it's getting a bit up and down, so we have to bowl well, we've got runs on the board but we can't afford to sit back.

"If we just hang about it's not going to happen."

The highlights of Pothas' innings, which included 12 fours, were his two sixes over extra cover.

"When I was younger it was always a shot of mine and at the start of the season Paul Terry and Shane Warne said we had to be positive, whatever happens. If we want to hit something they've said go out and hit it as long as we're 100 per cent positive in what we do.

"I did enjoy those hits - I've got a good bat!"

Pothas offered only one chance to wicketkeeper Simon Guy off Craig White when he was on 71.

"It was a serious delivery, but I'd say it was a half chance," he added. "When I turned round the ball kept climbing.

"It got on to me quickly and I asked Chris Tremlett if I went hard at it but he said it was just a good delivery.

"Craig White's so deceptive because he just ambles up, but he's one of the quickest bowlers out there. You can't take him lightly, he's got good skills with the ball and he gets it through."

Pothas added: "We didn't bowl as well as we would have liked but getting a guy liked White out at the end was a massive bonus."