Glamorgan put in a miserly display in the field to set up a comfortable four-wicket win over Gloucestershire at Cardiff.
The Welsh county restricted Gloucestershire to just 154-9 from their 40 overs. Gareth Rees then guided the home side to victory as Glamorgan won with 10 balls to spare.
Rees made a half century from 84 balls with three fours. It was the innings Glamorgan required chasing a small total. He played carefully and shared 56 with Jim Allenby to get the chase going.
Allenby fell lbw to Jack Taylor for 30 before Stuart Walters went for just four. Ben Wright was then brilliantly caught by Kane Williamson for just nine.
But when Gloucestershire had developed some pressure, Graham Wagg smashed Williamson for three boundaries in an over in a run-a-ball 22. Wagg was brilliantly caught by Kevin O’Brien in the deep and Mark Wallace skied a catch off Will Gidman but Glamorgan had just enough.
It was their effort in the field that set up the victory. They took regular wickets as Gloucestershire never got their innings going. The highest partnership was 31 as Dean Cosker and Robert Croft strangled the innings.
Cosker produced two beautiful deliveries that clean bowled both Williamson and Kevin O’Brien – who made just three on debut for Gloucestershire. Cosker finished with 4-for-30 from his eight overs.
Robert Croft sent down an even meaner spell, conceding just 22.
There was also an excellent spell from James Harris, who wasn’t selected for the England Lions next week. He picked up 2-for-26 from his eight overs.
Glamorgan were able to develop pressure and Gloucestershire struggled to move the scoreboard along. Chris Taylor did get going with 26 but ceded to the pressure having faced 65 balls and chipped Cosker to long-on.
It was a slow surface in Cardiff and had Gloucestershire grafted out 180 they could have competed.
But they weren’t patient enough and didn’t help themselves. In the first over Ian Cockbain ran himself out attempting a single to Gareth Rees at mid-on that was never available.
They also failed to find the boundaries. Just six times did they find they rope, including Jack Taylor clearing the long-on fence to his first delivery.
By contrast Glamorgan took just 12 overs to bring up as many boundaries. Gareth Rees reverse swept three of them as the he guided Glamorgan home with 59 not out.
