The Verdict

Glamorgan played the role of party poopers as they clinched a thrilling victory in the final hour at Chelmsford.

Kiran Carlson had become the fourth Glamorgan player under 21 to score a first-class ton this season as the visitors made 286, recovering from 34-5. Graham Napier starred on his final Chelmsford appearance with 4-46.

And when Essex were 85-5 it looked like that lead would be enough. Ryan ten Doeschate, Adam Wheater and James Foster saw the champions into the lead. Craig Meschede took 5-84 to keep Essex in check.

Half-centuries from Jacques Rudolph, Will Bragg and Mark Wallace gave Essex a challenging target of 264.

And it was a target they fell agonisingly short of, but will they care? Promotion has been achieved