Bedraggled Glamorgan survive Gidman mauling

Glamorgan 145 (Wagg 54*, Payne 3-29, Gidman 3-34) and 146 for 9 (Gidman 6-50) drew with Gloucestershire 231 (Dent 52, Cosker 5-46)
Scorecard

Rain and a defiant last-wicket stand combined to thwart Gloucestershire's victory bid on the final day of their Championship Division Two clash against Glamorgan in Cardiff.

The visitors appeared as though they might snatch an last-gasp win, despite the weather, as Glamorgan slipped to 126 for 9 with Will Gidman (6 for 50) cutting a swathe through the order. At that point Glamorgan led by just 40 with just enough time left in the game for Gloucestershire to push on for the win.

But a defiant 20-run last-wicket stand between Michael Hogan and Dean Cosker held the away charge back for long enough to see out the day and ensure Glamorgan escaped with a draw.

The weather allowed just 30 overs of play on the final day, with an hour possible before lunch following a noon start. That was enough time for Glamorgan, who started the day precariously placed at 80 for 3, to lose three more wickets and fall into deeper trouble.

The impressive Gidman struck an early blow, bowling Murray Goodwin for 32, and the score was still on 90 when Jim Allenby followed for a duck. Allenby edged Gidman to his brother Alex at first slip before slow left-armer Tom Smith captured the key wicket of Will Bragg.

Bragg had moved to 43 as the lynchpin of Glamorgan's innings, but when he was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Cameron Herring, it left skipper Mark Wallace and Graham Wagg to avoid further damage.

After lunch the rain reprieved them until 4.45pm - with the score on 118 for 6 - before umpires Martin Bodenham and Nigel Llong eventually decided that play could resume.

On the resumption, Glamorgan were soon sweating as Will Gidman struck twice in the same over. Wagg made just 1 before he was caught by Michael Klinger, then the right-armer struck again with his next delivery as Ruaidhri Smith edged to Herring.

Although he was denied a hat-trick, Will Gidman then saw Wallace caught by Herring for 15, leaving Glamorgan reeling on 126 for 9. But Hogan and Cosker successfully shut up shop during almost eight overs of frustration for Gloucestershire's bowlers.

Gloucestershire, who were beaten by Hampshire in their opening championship match, took nine points from the game, with Glamorgan collecting eight.