Glamorgan tailenders deny visitors a day off

WHEN Timm Van Der Gugten joined Kieran Bull, with Glamorgan 150 for 8 and 32 overs remaining, Gloucestershire were contemplating a win within three days, a 45-minute drive up the M4, and a well-earned day off.

The Glamorgan tailenders, however, put a spanner in the works as they resisted Gloucestershire’s bowlers for the next 28 overs, with Bull, showing commendable application, occupying the crease for 48 overs.

They shared a partnership of 73 for the ninth wicket before Bull was out for 30, but Van Der Gugten was unbeaten on a career-best 58.

Although the visitors should win easily enough this morning, Glamorgan have avoided a fourth defeat by an innings, with a slender lead last night of 18 runs.

Gloucestershire had resumed in the morning on 284 for 6, and, after Jack Taylor had scored the two runs he needed to reach his seventh first-class century, his seventh-wicket partnership of 155 with Ben Charlesworth was ended when the 17-year-old, after making a composed 72, was caught at slip off Van Der Gugten.

Taylor then became Van Der Gugten’s fourth victim when he was caught behind for 112, an innings that lasted 214 balls, with 14 fours and a six.

After Craig Miles and David Payne had further punished a tired Glamorgan attack, who were handicapped by a side injury to Ruaidhri Smith, the visitors were all out for 354, with Glamorgan facing four overs before lunch.

After taking 4 for 42 in the Glamorgan first innings, Miles demolished the home county’s top order when they started their second innings 217 runs adrift. He took three wickets in 10 balls without conceding a run to leave them reeling on 6 for 3 at lunch.

He then dismissed Stephen Cook shortly afterwards, with Glamorgan on 34 for 4, and heading for yet another defeat within three days.

Connor Brown was out first ball, then three balls later Miles trapped Cullen leg before, and in his second over, he dismissed Carlson who collected a pair. David Lloyd then counter attacked with a brisk 54 from 59 balls with nine fours, but there was little resistance until Bull and Van der Gugten came together.