A few bracing runs up Beachy Head have helped Mike Yardy scale new heights in the demanding world of professional cricket.

Yardy's form has been following a steep upward gradient in the first half of the season and the latest indication came during the Jason Lewry show at Hove last weekend.

Lewry deservedly took all the plaudits after his stunning match figures of 13-79 helped put Sussex on to the heels of leaders Middlesex in the race for the Championship second division title.

But Yardy also had reason for quiet satisfaction after making a valuable 87 not out, his highest score in professional cricket.

Together with Billy Taylor, Yardy added 66 for the tenth wicket which brought in a couple of valuable bonus points and put the game beyond Hampshire's reach. Lewry's second innings fireworks notwithstanding.

The 20-year-old from Hastings is keeping vastly experienced Tony Cottey out of the Sussex line-up and reaping the rewards of a tough winter's work on both fitness and technique.

Yardy admitted: "At the end of last year and I knew and the management knew that my fitness was not good enough.

"I did a lot of work over the winter, running up the hills around Eastbourne on cold days and working with Keith Greenfield in the nets.

"Everyone at the club has always had a good attitude but we didn't have the performances we wanted last year and we knew we had to do something about it.

"When we came back from Grenada at the start of this season there were four players going for one place in the team and I thought I was probably fourth in line.

"I played in the second team and got 40-odd, then I got a chance against Worcestershire when Chris Adams was injured.

"Then Cotts got injured and I stayed in the side and haven't really looked back."

Yardy made 68 at home to Nottinghamshire, 75 not out in the run feast at West End and has also has revelled on the big Test match stages, something he hoped would stand him in good stead at Old Trafford this week.

He fired 50 in the Championship win at Trent Bridge, then added a useful 46 on his first ever visit to Lord's in the stalemate with Middlesex.

He admitted: "I had never ever been to Lord's. It was unbelievable to play there.

There wasn't a big crowd but there was a buzz about the place. "It took me a couple of overs to calm down a bit but when you are out there batting it's just another game of cricket."

There was a buzz at Hove too last Saturday as Yardy moved ever closer to a maiden ton while Taylor offered stirring support at the other end.

It was the second time Yardy had been left high and dry this season with three figures in sight. No hard feelings though. He said: "I was eyeing 100 but not getting there did not worry me. We did well to put on 66.

"When I got in on the Friday I didn't play particularly well, but I ground it out and played a few shots in the morning.

"It was Jason's match. When we bowled them out for 80 in the first innings we knew we would only lose if we threw the game away."

Sussex too had some nervy early moments, with openers Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin departing early before Chris Adams took the fight to the Hampshire attack in general and spinner Shaun Udal in particular.

Once he had gone for 71, Yardy assumed the senior role, and impressed Peter Moores in the process.

The Sussex coach said: "It was a superb knock. He didn't throw it away on the first day, he was patient, farmed the strike and he really set the mood for the day on Saturday morning.

"I am pleased for him but not surprised. He trained hard over the winter and got more discipline into his cricket and his life and is now showing the sort of consistency people do not always associate with players of his age."

Over at Hastings, his old club mates are talking of him as a potential England A tourist. A touch premature maybe, but Yardy has responded in kind by tipping them to win the Sussex League.

He still gets down there when he can. Victory for Sussex in three days against Derbyshire offered one such opportunity and he duly made 74 for his club against Worthing before reporting back for county duty the next day.

Yardy said: "They gave me a chance when I was 16. Not many clubs play 16-year-olds in the County League, but hopefully I have repaid them."

The talented left-hander is not the only member of the county's Championship high-flyers to have progressed from Sussex's thriving club scene.

Man-of-the-moment Lewry was taking wickets for Invitation Leaguers Goring before Sussex came along, James Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins started out with Eastbourne and Horsham respectively and Matt Prior was at Brighton last season.

The clubs love seeing their players go on to impress for Sussex. And, all the time home boys like Yardy come up with the goods, they can be sure the feeling will be mutual.