Glamorgan win lifts Welsh spirits

The victory helped banish their B&H final memories

Glamorgan 220, Essex 200
Glamorgan win by 20 runs

Glamorgan put their Benson & Hedges Cup woe behind them to notch up an impressive 20-run victory over Essex in Cardiff.

Australian opener Matthew Elliott hit the highest score in the division this season with 94 from 116 balls.

He shared stands of 59 with pinch-hitter Keith Newell for the first wicket and 98 in 18 overs for the third with Matthew Maynard.

Newell had survived a dropped catch from Paul Grayson in the 11th over, went on to hit Ashley Cowan for three boundaries before falling to the final ball of the same over.

Maynard's quick 50 from 53 balls helped Glamorgan to 167-2, but then eight wickets fell for 53 runs with Cowan taking four for 39 from nine overs.

Set 221 to win, Essex emulated Gloucestershire's speed start on Saturday by putting on 35 in six overs, before Owen Parkin dismissed Graham Napier.

In the following over Darren Thomas rattled Paul Prichard's stumps, but then Darren Robinson and Ronnie Irani struck back with a partnership of 78 in 17 overs.

Essex fight on

Robinson hit 51 from 58 balls with seven fours before falling to a brilliant Elliott catch at short mid-wicket.

Elliott repeated soon after to end Grayson's knock, but Irani was the man Glamorgan wanted.

At 147, left-arm spinner Dean Cosker struck to gain a leg before decision over Irani, who had made 40.

The Essex captain appeared displeased, as did Danny Law, who followed in similar fashion two balls later.

The door was open and Barry Hyam fell to a skier, before Stephen Peters was bowled as Cosker and Newell turned the screw.

Essex needed 60 from eight overs and Cowan made a fine effort as he swung Newell high into the crowd. With 33 left from five overs Cowan was comprehensively bowled by Thomas after a bright 24 from 17 balls.

Mark Ilott heaved Parkin for six, but fell in the 43rd over to a neat catch by Maynard, giving Glamorgan victory.

Scorecard:

Glamorgan Innings

K Newell c Peters b Ilott 38
M T G Elliott c Grayson b Cowan 94
M J Powell c Mason b Ilott 2
M P Maynard c Napier b Mason 50
A Dale c & b Mason 0
S P James c Ilott b Law 7
S D Thomas c & b Cowan 11
A D Shaw b Cowan 3
A G Wharf c Grayson b Cowan 2
D A Cosker not out 4
O T Parkin lbw b Grayson 0

Extras lb5 w4 9
Total (44.2 overs) 220

Fall: 1-59 2-69 3-167 4-168 5-185 6-203 7-213 8-213 9-220

Bowling: Ilott 7 1 31 2, Irani 4 1 23 0, Cowan 9 1 39 4, Law 7 0 42 1, Mason 9 0 43 2, Grayson 8.2 0 37 1.

Essex Innings

P J Prichard b Thomas 21
G R Napier lbw b Parkin 11
D D J Robinson c Elliott b Newell 51
R C Irani lbw b Cosker 40
A P Grayson c Elliott b Newell 8
S D Peters b Cosker 23
D R Law lbw b Cosker 0
B J Hyam c Dale b Newell 0
A P Cowan b Thomas 24
T J Mason not out 5
M C Ilott c Maynard b Thomas 10

Extras lb5 w2 7
Total (42.4 overs) 200

Fall: 1-35 2-35 3-113 4-127 5-147 6-147 7-150 8-161 9-188

Bowling: Thomas 8.4 2 30 3, Parkin 8 0 47 1, Wharf 4 0 21 0, Dale 4 0 24 0, Cosker 9 0 36 3, Newell 9 1 37 3.

Umpires: M J Harris and N A Mallender