Glamorgan beat Essex by huge margin

One-day bests from Robert Croft (92) and Andrew Davies (5-39) were the backbone of Glamorgan's 178--run Norwich Union League Division Two victory over bottom-placed Essex at Sophia Gardens.

Croft plundered his runs off just 82 balls with two sixes and five fours to help set Essex 290 to win in a match reduced to 41 overs each because of rain.

Promotion hopefuls Glamorgan were given a whirlwind start after winning the toss thanks to pinch-hitter Keith Newell whose 53-ball 50 helped his side to 111-1 in the first 15 overs.

After Newell and Matthew Maynard perished in quick succession, Croft and Mike Powell ensured the impressive run rate continued adding 101 in 14 overs before the England off spinner was bowled by Andy Clarke eight short of what would have been a deserved and robust 100.

Some of the Essex bowling figures didn't make particularly good reading with Clarke going for 79 from eight overs.

The first maidens of the match came in the opening two overs of the Essex innings to put the visitors under more pressure after being required to score at 7.07 an over from the start.

Essex soon found themselves 54-3 with Darren Robinson brilliantly stumped by Adrian Shaw off Owen Parkin after Davies had dismissed both Richard Clinton and Graham Napier.

Davies struck again to claim the wickets of Stuart Law and Paul Grayson with consecutive balls as Essex's dwindling chances were all but extinguished.

The rest of the Essex batting crumbled to 111 all out with 16.4 overs remaining.