Second XI Championship
Venue: Neath Cricket Club
Duration: 3 days
MATCH RESULT - DRAW
Glamorgan 1st inns - 409/6 declared
Glamorgan 2nd inns - 142 all out
Middlesex 1st inns - 263/6 declared
Middlesex 2nd inns - 251/9
Middlesex and Glamorgan settled for a hard fought draw at Neath Cricket Club, on a final day that ebbed and flowed towards a thrilling climax.
Resuming on 80 for 5 overnight Glamorgan needed to bat long into the day to build an unassailable lead, although the Middlesex attack has other ideas.
Thilan Walallawita struck with the score on 103, to dislodge Lawlor, before picking up the wickets of Smith, Sisodiya and Bull cheaply to finish with fine figures of 4 for 35 from 13 overs.
When Rogers picked up the final wicket of Brown for a well worked 51, Glamorgan were all out for just 142, leaving Middlesex a victory target of 289.
Middlesex openers Lace and Perera set off at a good rate and quickly began to build their opening partnership. Having taken the score to 116 without loss Perera fell to Bull, just two short of what would have been a well earned half century.
Lace continued to build and momentum seemed to be with Middlesex until Robbie White fell for 9, quickly followed by Lace himself for a magnificent 94.
Whilst Middlesex chased their target, they were thwarted by the loss of regular wickets, as Andersson, Cracknell, Shukla and Martin all fell relatively cheaply, whilst Lincoln showed some resolve before falling for 41. Middlesex had slipped from 174 for 3 to 250 for 8 and were staring defeat in the face, still 39 short of their target.
The loss of Walallawita, Middlesex's ninth wicket, with no addition to the score put Glamorgan on the brink, although Cullen at number 10 and Rogers at 11 survived a nervy few overs to earn Middlesex a spirited draw from what had been a brilliant game of cricket.
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY TWO
Glamorgan 1st inns - 409/6 declared
Glamorgan 2nd inns - 80/5
Middlesex 1st inns - 263/6 declared
Glamorgan declared before play got underway on day two in Neath and Middlesex were faced with the daunting prospect of chasing down and attempting to overtake the host’s effort of 409-6 on day one.
Perera & White both fell cheaply, going for 14 & 12 respectively, making this chase look even more challenging with the score at 72-2. When Tom Lace also went shortly afterwards on 45, Middlesex looked to be struggling on 88-3.
However, Andersson & Lincoln both batted well, stabilising the visitor’s innings and pushing Middlesex on. Both went past their half centuries before the next wicket fell, and with the partnership at 143 Andersson finally went for a well-made 59.
Glamorgan stepped up the pressure from here however, and after just another 5 overs were rewarded for their perseverance not once, but twice.
Two wickets in two deliveries from Lawlor saw to the end of Lincoln and Shukla, with the score on 248-6. Lincoln had progressed on to 83 by this point, and without him at the crease it seemed unlikely Middlesex would be able to get close to the Glamorgan first innings total.
A tactical declaration followed with Middlesex trailing by 146 runs, as Middlesex skipper Lace rolled the dice and put the hosts back in.
His bravery was rewarded as his bowlers went about their business with a calm efficiency, dragging Middlesex back into the game before stumps were drawn at the close of day two.
The hosts went in five wickets down, with Andersson bowling like a dream, picking up 4 for 15 from 11 of the most miserly over you'll ever witness.
At the close of an intriguing second day Middlesex trailed Glamorgan by 226 runs. Early wickets tomorrow and the visitors are right back in this, although runs for the hosts could easily see the balance swing right back in their favour.
With the hosts in the box seat, Middlesex will need to wrap the Glamorgan innings up swiftly in the morning to stand any chance of coming out of this one with a positive result.
CLOSE OF PLAY – DAY ONE
Glamorgan – 409/6
Glamorgan decided to bat after winning the toss in Neath, and seemed to have made the right decision from the off.
The hosts progressed at a healthy rate in the morning session, and by the loss of the first wicket in the 20th over had already surpassed 80. Walallawita was able to dismiss Selman at this point, who Robbie White stumped to leave the score at 81-1.
However, Glamorgan did not give Middlesex many more opportunities to celebrate early on day one. The next wicket fell in the 39th over, with Andersson getting Machado to edge on to White for 85, with the score at 145-2.
Brown and Lawlor also batted very well however, and went on to both surpass their half centuries for the hosts before tea.
Brown was dismissed by Martin LBW on 93 after tea, but Lawlor went on to reach his century before the end of the day.
Once Lawlor eventually went for 114 with the score at 347-4, Middlesex were able to capitalise somewhat. Another 2 wickets fell before the close of play, leaving Glamorgan on 409-6 at the close.
Walallawita was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 3-118. Martin took 2 wickets, and Andersson picked up one further one on day one for Middlesex.
