Glamorgan v Essex, Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 23-26/05/16

Glamorgan turned it as much improved display in their latest County Championship match as only a fighting rearguard by Essex on the final afternoon saved the away side from defeat.

It's been a difficult start for the Daffodil, but this game saw some very encouraging aspects.

Timm van der Gugten looks like an excellent acquisition with the ball, Will Bragg stroked a career best 161 not out and Chris Cooke delivered a pair of half centuries. Together with a fluent 50 from Aneurin Donald and then some forceful cricket on the last day which nearly brought victory, there is light at the end of the tunnel as the season moves into a phase of one day cricket.

Scorecard

County cricket in the sun, nothing better

Ravi Bopara passes 50

As does Chris Cooke in the first innings....

...and again in the 2nd innings

Gloucestershire v Glamorgan, Championship Division 2, Bristol, 16/05/16

It was thoroughly dispiriting defeat for Glamorgan in this County Championship clash as, after bossing the game for most of the first three days, an idiotic spell of batting on the final afternoon saw the Welsh county lose to Gloucestershire by 125 runs.

Glamorgan gained a handsome 68 run lead on first innings, featuring 99 from David Lloyd, 70 from Will Bragg and 55 for Graeme Wagg before the all rounder had to retire hurt. This sadly seemed to halt their progress but with the bowlers doing a good job again 2nd time around, a victory target of 269 should have been well within reach.

Sadly from 87 for 1, Glamorgan lost 10 wickets for 53 runs, and thus crumbled to a third defeat which leaves them rooted to the bottom of Division 2.

Things can only get better.

Scorecard 

Bragg defends

The County Ground Bristol now complete with floodlights

50 up

Some late evening sun...

..in which Glamorgan strive for a breakthrough

Glamorgan v Worcestershire, Championship Division 2, Cardiff 08-09/05/16

Glamorgan managed to escape with a draw against Worcestershire after rain washed out the chances of any play at all after tea on the 2nd day. (scorecard)

In truth, it would have been the home side doing the rain dance on days 3 and 4 after a woeful display during the time actually played.

With Glamorgan toothless in attack Worcestershire managed to pile up 456 for 6 declared, including a career best for Brett d'Oliveira. The daffodil cause was not helped by 5 dropped catches on the first day, most of which were difficult, but in professional cricket they need to be taken.

It got worse when they came to bat. Nick Selman and Mark Wallace had impressed in the 2nds the previous week and were given a debut and recalled respectively. But they fell quickly here and after Bragg went first ball, it seemed it couldn't deteriorate further.

It did, as skipper Jacques Rudolph slipped and was run out whilst turning for a 3rd.

The Monday afternoon gloom was now gathering and that was that, as the players waited until 5pm on Wednesday before the match was finally put of its misery by the umpires, much to the frustration of Worcestershire, but the relief of Glamorgan.

The Welshmen, and their South Africans, will have to shape up quickly to prevent it turning into a very long season.

Worcestershire open up in the sun on Sunday morning

Moeen Ali steps out...

...and faces Graeme Wagg

Glamorgan gave a debut to Nick Selman

Brett d'Oliveira passes 200

Worcestershire pile the pressure on with 5 slips

Glamorgan in deep trouble as Jack Shantry looks on