Marshall fails to stop Glamorgan

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO
Bristol, day four of four: Glamorgan 277 & 178-1d bt Glos 141-4d and 200 by 114 runs
Points: Glamorgan 17, Glos 3

Match scorecard

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Hamish Marshall's century proved in vain as Glamorgan claimed their first Championship victory of the season.

The New Zealand batsman profited from five dropped catches as his team-mates crumbled, having been set 315 to win after the visitors declared on 178-1.

The hosts were 78-5 and though Stephen Snell (53) and Marshall (105) shared 114, once the latter fell to Robert Croft (3-39) the result was inevitable

Australian seamer Jason Gillespie took 3-38 as Glos were dismissed for 200.

After managing only one Championship win last season, the Welsh county can reflect on an early away victory this time, their first such triumph since beating the same opponents at Cheltenham in July 2006.

Matthew Wood (83 not out) and David Hemp (72no) began the day by extending their second-innings total against occasional bowlers before the declaration.

Gloucestershire were 41-3 by lunch, with Craig Spearman lbw shouldering arms, Grant Hodnett edging to second slip and Marcus North caught spectacularly at gully by Wood.

Marshall was spilled three times by then in moving to 27 - Ryan Watkins (third slip), Gareth Rees (short-leg), and Mike Powell (second slip) the culprits.

Alex Gidman and Chris Taylor fell early in the afternoon session to David Harrison but Marshall was dropped on 72 by Powell - the third time off Gillespie - and had his fifth escape on 81 when spilled by Jamie Dalrymple at mid-wicket off Croft.

Croft eventually made the key breakthrough by having him caught at short-leg and the rest of the batting folded tamely in the space of 44 balls.

Snell fell to a leg-side catch by wicket-keeper Mark Wallace off Croft after making his maiden Championship fifty and Gillespie cleaned up Mark Hardinges and Steve Kirby.

Croft had Anthony Ireland caught close in to spark scenes of jubilation and leave Gloucestershire skipper Jon Lewis reflecting on a generous third-day declaration.