DAY 1 -
An unfortunate start to what promised to be an eventful game of County Championship cricket at Sophia Gardens, as the day's play was called off following wet outfield thanks to heavy rain last evening and a strong spell at midday. With no toss taking place, the playing XI for both teams is yet to be announced, as we hope to get play tomorrow.
DAY 2 -
Morning Report:
Play finally commenced after a slight delay on Day 2, thanks to the support staff to worked tirelessly all morning amid heavy rains last night. Gloucestershire won the toss and by no surprise, chose to bowl in cold and camp conditions on a green pitch. Glamorgan handed Will Smale his first-class debut for the club, and he along with younster Asa Tribe did not disappoint. A 50-run partnership in just the 13th over, with the carefree batting mixed with luck (Smale was dropped on 17) getting Glamorgan a strong start. The young duo went into lunch with Glamorgan 61/0 after an hour-long first session of the match which saw Gloucestershire bowl 15 overs.
Teatime Report:
Another session belonging to the Glamorgan batters, as Asa Tribe and Colin Ingram, who came in at no. 3 following the dismissal of debutant Will Smale for 40. Tribe played the supporting act in both his partnerships, first with Smale and then with Ingram, as the South African international scored his runs as effortlessly as he does. The pitch became harder with the afternoon September sun as Ingram and Tribe got their chanceless 100-run partnership.
Stumps Report:
Rain and bad light played hide and seek with the umpires all session before they had had too much of it and called it a day at 17:55. Chris Cooke and Sam Northeast starred the short session with some counter-attacking strokes after Matt Taylor dismissed Asa Tribe, Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson. The hosts ended the day on 283/4 having played 65 overs of cricket across two days.
DAY 3 -
Morning Report:
Play finally resumed at 10:30am for the first time this match amid dry and cold conditions. Chris Cooke and Sam Northeast wasted no time in scoring their runs in the morning, as Cooke got his second Championship century of the season, and Sam Northeast notched up a thousand runs for the summer. Glamorgan declared their innings at 381, and to much surprise, Gloucestershire forfeited their first innings, and Glamorgan forfeited their second innings, leaving the visitors with 382 to win the match! Glamorgan started well despite a dropped chance at second slip off Ned Leonard, but the right-arm seamer picked up the wicket of Chris Dent the next over. Gloucestershire headed into the lunch break needing 361 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand.
Teatime Report:
Three big wickets for Glamorgan in the afternoon session, with Andy Gorvin taking two of them. The surface, as expected, being flatter to bat on as the ball gets older, but Andy Gorvin's discipline and ability to make things happen out of nowhere earned him two deserved wickets, bowling both Ollie Price and Joe Phillips out. Ned Leonard took the third wicket of the session with a sharp short-ball, which was pulled straight to Will Smale at deep square who got under the ball perfectly. With the top order all but back in the pavilion, Glamorgan bowlers will look to get the middle-order out as quickly as possible with rain looming on Day 4. The players break for tea with Gloucestershire 111/4, needing 271 more to win with 6 wickets in hand.
End of Match Report:
A convincing win by Glamorgan as they get the better of Gloucestershire by 192 runs in the 'Battle of the Bridge' at Sophia Gardens. An outstanding effort from the bowling unit, with everyone chipping in to end a great week for the club with the Metro Bank One-Day Cup win and the Vitality County Championship win against Gloucestershire. A long and wonderful cricket summer comes to an end!