LV= County Championship Division Two
Glamorgan 202 & 370-9dec. beat Gloucestershire 183 & 195 by 189 runs (PTS: Glam 19, Glos 3)
Glamorgan were made to work hard on the final day but bowled Gloucestershire out on the stroke of tea to win their first match of the season.
The Welsh county had set the visitors 385 to win and Gloucestershire we well set to draw the match. An hour after tea they looked comfortable at 164-3. But the second new ball was taken and Glamorgan made inroads.
James Harris, who had previously been ineffective in the innings, produced a ripping yorker to dismiss Jon Batty. Will Gidman edged to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace in his next over as Gloucestershire’s collapse began.
Adam Shantry then had Ian Saxelby caught at short leg and next ball, Jon Lewis caught at cover. The double strike put paid to any Gloucestershire resistance and Glamorgan wrapped up victory in the last over before tea.
It was a remarkable victory as Glamorgan had been 54-6 on the first afternoon. Ben Wright recovered their innings with 83 to help his side to 202.
Harris then claimed 5-39 as Gloucestershire themselves recovered from 94-7 to make 183.
The match swung Glamorgan’s way on the second evening. They came out with positive intent and either side of tea, rattled along at five-an-over as Gareth Rees scored 68 from 89 balls. The Welsh county built up a big lead and declared on 370-9.
The visitors did provide resistance batting last in the match, surviving unscathed to the close on day three and only being three wickets down half way through the final day. But Glamorgan gained momentum with the second new ball and claimed six wickets for just 31 runs to win the match.
