Greg Smith hundred gives Derbyshire the lead

Derbyshire 285 for 9 v Glamorgan 272
Scorecard

Glamorgan's satisfaction at removing Derbyshire batting star Chris Rogers cheaply melted in the spring sunshine as Greg Smith marked his 100th first-class innings with a century.

Smith and Garry Park turned 27 this week and the pair celebrated by sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 156. The home side had been on the ropes at 65 for 4 when Rogers fell for 28, but by the close Smith's unbeaten 121 had lifted Derbyshire to 285 for 9, a lead of 13.

Although they hit back by taking five wickets in the last session, the visitors certainly missed the quality and experience of Robert Croft, who was not selected.

His absence was not felt in the morning when Glamorgan claimed four wickets, but his guile would have presented Smith and Park with more searching questions in the post-lunch session which belonged to the two South Africans.

They had come together when Glamorgan were scenting a decent first-innings lead after the seamers had landed some early blows. Tom Lungley's role as nightwatchman ended in the third over when he pushed forward at David Harrison and was caught behind for a single, while Wayne Madsen went in the next over, snared down the leg side for 3 as he flicked at Huw Waters.

Waters bowled a good line at Rogers but Derbyshire's skipper had put the innings back on track with the help of Paul Borrington when Glamorgan struck twice in consecutive overs.

Borrington had shown good judgement and was unlucky when he was superbly caught at gully by Dean Cosker for 27 off a short and wide ball from Chris Ashling. But the wicket Glamorgan most wanted came in the 26th over when Rogers was lbw as he tried to work Jim Allenby off his legs.

Allenby had been one of Glamorgan's best bowlers but the all-rounder was not called on after lunch as Smith and Park batted their team back into the contest. Smith had pulled Ashling for six but the pair seized the initiative back by sensible accumulation against an attack which lacked penetration.

They added 95 between lunch and tea before they were parted. Mark Cosgrove was the eighth bowler Glamorgan had tried and he delivered by yorking Park, who faced 164 balls for his 61.

John Sadler was caught behind for 10 off Cosker before Smith reached his third Championship hundred off 183 balls and then watched as Glamorgan belatedly took the new ball and claimed three wickets in 18 deliveries to leave the contest finely poised.