Graham Wagg was a relieved man as Glamorgan edged out Essex Eagles to record a fourth consecutive win in the Vitality Blast at Sophia Gardens.
The home side had posted another big total in familiar surroundings with Colin Ingram (89), Wagg (53*) and a cameo from Ruaidhri Smith ensuring a big chase for Essex.
The Welsh county took wickets at crucial moments to knock back the visitors despite the chase going down to the final over. Wagg struck in the penultimate over and felt his side did just enough for the victory in the tight affair.
“It was tighter than what we had imagined,” said Wagg. “It’s another good win with another couple of points to the tally. For a Tuesday it was a great crowd, the atmosphere was bouncing and it was good fun.
“I thought it was a good wicket, I went out and Colin said to give myself some time [in the middle] and unfortunately he got out not long after. He [Ingram] played a fantastic innings and he hasn’t really picked up a bat since his illness, the two knocks he’s played recently have been unbelievable.
“His innings made life a little easier for me, then we lost a couple of wickets and we had to reign it in a little. I was fortunate to get a couple out in the middle tonight and they sailed over the rope for me.”
Despite a good run chase from Essex, Glamorgan were able to peg back the away side with Smith taking another wicket after his record-breaking performance against Middlesex.
“Another special mention for Ruaidhri Smith,” added Wagg. “He bowled incredibly well against Middlesex and came in a did a good job with the bat tonight so I’m really pleased for him.
“Wickets always help and it slows down the run rate, and I think I was pretty fortunate to get one caught at third man and get three dots. When I left Hoges, they came back with a six and I thought here we go. But I was always going to back him to nail a couple of yorkers and he does it under pressure for us a lot and he did really well.
“We’ve had a couple of good performances with the ball and bat. One good innings with the ball or bat can win you the game in this format and we’ve stuck together well as a team. It’s been a hard season so far but we’ve started to turn that around, we’re four from four but there’s still a long way to go."