Fell keeps Worcestershire in touch

Worcestershire 163 (Hogan 4-44) and 150 for 2 (Fell 65*) lead Glamorgan 280 (Bradd 98, Wallace 67*) by 33 runs
Scorecard

Tom Fell and Joe Clarke breathed life back into promotion-chasing Worcestershire's victory hopes with an unbroken third wicket stand of 95 against Glamorgan on day two of the Specsavers County Championship clash at New Road.

The pair joined forces at 55 for 2 with the home side still 62 runs in arrears after Glamorgan had extended their first innings from an overnight 118 for 5 to 280 all out. Glamorgan may be left to rue dropping Fell on two - a low chance spilled by keeper Mark Wallace off Graham Wagg.

Fell went on to complete his second Championship 50 - from 101 deliveries with nine fours - since returning to the side after being given the all clear in his battle against cancer. By the close the 22-year-old was unbeaten on 65 and Clarke 32 with Worcestershire leading by 33.

Glamorgan had resumed on 118 for 5 after 15 wickets had gone down on the opening day and a combination of Will Bragg and the lower order earned them a sizeable first innings advantage.

Leach made an early breakthrough when Owen Morgan shouldered arms and had his stumps shattered.

Bragg, who resumed on 75, moved to within two runs of his third Championship hundred of the season but then pushed forward to Ed Barnard and was bowled via the inside edge. He struck 16 fours in his 133 ball innings.

Glamorgan were then still two runs in arrears but Wallace, who had opened in the previous seven Championship matches, effectively shepherded the last three wickets in adding 119 runs.

Skipper Jacques Rudolph's decision to return to the top of the order led to Wallace moving down to No 9 and he responded by making an unbeaten 67. He struck 10 fours and a six in his 78 ball knock and added 75 for the eighth wicket with Wagg.

Leach struck twice in an over to remove Wagg and Michael Hogan before Barnard accounted for Lukas Carey. It completed a fourth five-wicket haul of the season for Leach who returned 5-106 from 22 overs to take his Championship tally to 45 for the campaign.

Worcestershire needed a solid start to their reply but Brett D'Oliveira drove loosely at Wagg and was caught behind.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell looked in good touch but after making 33 he pulled a short ball from Carey into the hands of Craig Meschede at mid wicket but then came the Fell-Clarke rescue act.