James paves way to record-breaking Glamorgan win over Essex

Glamorgan recorded their first CricInfo Championship win of the season, timing perfectly a daunting target of 364 runs for victory in a minimum of 84 overs to win by six wickets with 3.1 overs to spare.

It was their captain Steve James who paved the way for his side's triumph, striking an outstanding 156. His innings of the highest quality embraced flowing drives and punchy drives off his legs that kept the momentum going with 15 boundaries in the 246 deliveries faced by the opener.

Glamorgan got off to a fine start with James and Jimmy Maher posting 84 for the first wicket but on the dismissal of the Australian allowed Matthew Maynard to join the masterful James.

The pair added 194 in 38 overs for the second wicket with Maynard complementing his partner's efforts to keep the scoreboard moving at the required rate.

Maynard also seemed destined to reach three figures as he probed and improvised effectively, but he was caught at deep long-on within 10 runs of a well-deserved century leaving his side still requiring a further 86 runs. Although Michael Powell fell cheaply, Adrian Dale accompanied James in a partnership of 51 to put the visitors in sight of victory.

It took a brilliant one-handed catch by Stuart Law to prise out James with only 14 runs still required but Dale steered the Welsh county comfortably home as they collected 19 points for the win with Essex taking three points.

In successfully reaching the winning target, Glamorgan equalled the highest score that he county had ever successfully chased in the championship.