Glamorgan improve promotion chances with win over Lancashire

Glamorgan beat Lancashire by 46 runs at Colwyn Bay to keep pace with the Norwich Union League Division Two leaders.

Setting the Red Rose county 267 to win after Robert Croft had struck 64, Lancashire were bowled out for 220 with 19 balls remaining thanks to some fine bowling by Andrew Davies who claimed the key wickets of Andrew Flintoff and John Crawley with consecutive balls.

Although Lancashire made a lightning start they never recovered from the loss of Flintoff.

Graham Lloyd and Mark Chilton launched a recovery putting on 93 in 19 overs but when they were both out in quick succession Lancashire were suddenly 173-6 in the 30th over.

And Lancashire's fate was just about settled when Dean Cosker took the scalps of Joe Scuderi and Chris Schofield in the same over.

Despite being put in Glamorgan raced to 137-2 in just 17 overs as Crawley turned to seven different bowlers in a bid to stem the flow of runs.

Glamorgan looked as if they were going to breeze passed the 300-mark especially as the opening over from John Wood went for 16 and his fourth 21.

The early damage was done by Keith Newell, Ian Thomas and Robert Croft, who was back from Test duty. Croft scored a half-century in 48 balls but his last 11 runs came off a further 42 deliveries.

The introduction of spin and especially Gary Yates was responsible for halting Glamorgan's early progress. Yates recorded very impressive figures of 9-1-20-1 as the home side lost their last seven wickets for the addition of just 66 runs.

Glamorgan were all out for with seven balls to spare leaving Lancashire a rate of 5.93 an over for victory.