Allenby five reins in Essex

Jim Allenby produced figures of 5 for 56 as Glamorgan had the better of the opening day of their County Championship Division Two clash with Essex at Swansea.

The allrounder took three wickets in the space of five overs and then mopped up the tail as Essex lost their last six wickets for the addition of only 66 runs. Essex were bowled out for 286, with the main contributions coming from openers Tom Westley and Nick Browne, who made 60 and 73 respectively.

In reply, Glamorgan finished the first day on 27 for one, 259 behind, having lost Will Bragg to a catch behind off Monty Panesar two overs from the close. That brought nightwatchman Andrew Salter to the middle.

On a placid Swansea wicket, Essex chose to bat first and by lunch had reached a respectable 102 for 2. The mainstay of the early Essex batting was Westley, who celebrated a fresh two-year contract with an impressive half-century which came up off 62 balls and included 10 fours.

His partner Browne was rather more watchful but he had to watch two wickets fall at the other end. Dean Cosker, the slow left-armer, was introduced into the attack in the 19th over and in his third over grabbed the breakthrough.

He claimed the wicket of Westley, who was bowled attempting to sweep. He went for 60 from 79 balls to leave the visitors 79 for one. That became 91 for 2 when Cosker struck again to have dangerman Ravi Bopara caught by Allenby at slip for only 4. In the over before lunch Browne, on 31, survived a very confident lbw appeal after he padded up to a ball from Cosker.

It took the introduction of spin from the pavilion end to earn Glamorgan their first bowling point when New Zealander Jesse Ryder was caught behind cutting off Andrew Salter's opening over.

From 126 for 3, Essex enjoyed a useful partnership of 70 between Browne and James Foster before three wickets fell for the addition of only 28 runs either side of tea.

Foster, who on 35 had been lucky not to give a return catch to Harris, added only four more before the bowler had his revenge as the Essex captain edged a drive behind. Allenby struck twice in two overs, firstly ending Browne's stay after he had reached 73 from 194 balls. He was caught by wicketkeeper Wallace, who also accounted for Graham Smith.

Essex's innings came to a rather quick end as Graham Napier miscued Allenby to Hogan at mid-off before the final three batsmen all went leg before. The wickets of Ryan ten Doeschate, out for 46, and Panesar, dismissed for a duck, gave Allenby his five-wicket haul.