Defeat puts dent in Panthers’ YB40 hopes

Glamorgan 153-9 (25 ov) beat Middlesex 142-9 (25 ov) by 11 runs
(Glamorgan 2 pts, Middlesex 0 pts)

Middlesex’s hopes of reaching the Yorkshire Bank 40 semi-finals suffered a setback with defeat in Cardiff.

In a day-night match reduced to 25 overs per side due to rain, Toby Roland-Jones (3-13) bowled superbly but Glamorgan added 63 in the final seven overs to recover from 90-6 and post 153-9.

Former England bowler Simon Jones then took two wickets in as many balls to leave Middlesex reeling at 32-5.

Neil Dexter (54) and John Simpson (32) attempted to breath new life into the run chase but, needing 20 off the final over, the Panthers came up short.

After the rain had subsided, Steven Finn was hit for six off the second ball of the match but he and Roland-Jones soon got among the wickets to reduce Glamorgan to 39-3 after 10 overs.

Opener Gareth Rees scored a slow 32 off 53 balls but it wasn’t until late in the innings that the Dragons built any momentum.

Ben Wright (26) and Graham Wagg (20) played the lead roles as the lower order frustrated the Panthers’ bowlers.

Dawid Malan fell without scoring in the first over of Middlesex’s reply and things looked bleak when Glamorgan snaffled four further wickets in 22 balls.

Simpson survived Jones’s hat-trick delivery and went on to score 32 off 27 deliveries, anchoring a revival in a 50 partnership with Dexter.

Although boundaries were at a premium, the skipper scored a fine half century but he was caught in the final over trying to hit out and Middlesex were beaten.

It means Panthers are likely to have to win their final two group matches, against Gloucestershire on Wednesday and Leicestershire on Bank Holiday Monday, if they want to qualify for the semis.

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