Another century from in-form opener Adam Lyth helped Yorkshire to just about take the honours on the opening day of their LV= County Championship Roses match at Old Trafford.

Lyth, the top flight's leading run scorer with 953, added his third first-class century of the summer as Lancashire struggled early on without England Lions bowler Sajid Mahmood.

The left-hander, 22, reached 100 off just 122 balls with 17 boundaries but was out two balls later to Tom Smith.

Yorkshire closed on 379 for eight from 96 overs, with stand-in captain Rudolph making 83 off 153 balls and Anthony McGrath 61 off 136.

But it should have been far better for the Tykes because they lost six wickets for 74 runs in the evening session to slump from 299 for two.

Four of them went to captain Glen Chapple in the space 26 balls and he finished with impressive figures of four for 60 from 23 overs. Smith and Daren Powell also claimed two wickets apiece.

Yorkshire started the day second in Division One and Lancashire fourth. Both sides know they can go top because leaders Nottinghamshire and third placed Somerset are not playing this week.

Yorkshire built the early part of their day around an opening partnership of 166 inside 42 overs between Lyth and Rudolph.

Already without captain Andrew Gale due to Lions commitments they were dealt another blow when Joe Sayers was ruled out after suffering an asthma attack before play.

It forced Rudolph, who won the toss and elected to bat, to open the batting - like he did last season - and he excelled on a placid pitch that is expected to take more and more turn as the fixture progresses.

Yorkshire's decision to play off-spinner Azeem Rafiq alongside Adil Rashid looks a good one.

Lyth raced out of the blocks, reaching 50 for the ninth time this season off just 47 balls. He played well to leg and timed the ball imperiously.

The pace of his knock allowed Rudolph to settle and he only reached his half century early in the afternoon session off 94 balls.

Rudolph, who hit 13 fours, was the second wicket to fall when he edged a lifting delivery from Powell to Smith at second slip, making it 220 for two in the 53rd.

McGrath and Jonny Bairstow, playing just as a batsman, shared 79 for the third wicket in 21 overs.

But the latter perished for 47 courtesy of a leading edge to Simon Katich at short cover off the bowling of Smith. It left Yorkshire at 299 for three in the 74th and started their collapse.

Powell forced McGrath to chop on before Chapple trapped Gerard Brophy (35) lbw, got rid of Rashid courtesy of a super one-handed catch by Steven Croft at point, had Rafiq caught behind and removed Tino Best caught and bowled off a skied leading edge.

Lancashire will be hoping to preserve their record of not conceding 400 in the Championship this season when play resumes tomorrow.