Mark Butcher, the Surrey captain, guided his side to an important victory and the top of the Friends Provident Trophy South Conference table. While others lost their heads, Butcher made 72 not out from 99 balls in a contest reduced to 39 overs a side because of a two-hour rain break.

It was arguably the most rural setting at which a match between first-class counties has been played – a south Pembrokeshire ground reached by crossing a cattle grid in a village with a population of 75.

But being taken out of their natural habitat did not affect Surrey, especially Butcher, who struck four sixes – the fourth to confirm victory with two overs remaining – after losing four partners in the space of six overs.

Requiring 205 after a Duckworth-Lewis method adjustment, Surrey were 62 for three, with Alex Wharf producing bizarre early figures of 3-0-33-2, having dismissed Alistair Brown, snaffled at backward point, and Mark Ramprakash.

Though Wharf struck twice more and Huw Waters removed James Benning, who hit seven fours from 24 balls, Glamorgan encountered personnel problems. Simon Jones had pulled out of the match with an ominous recurrence of knee problems. He will travel to the England Academy in Loughborough to see medical staff this week, and Damien Wright, the county’s new overseas bowler, pulled up after four balls.

Glamorgan’s total was short of competitive on a tiny village ground with only a 45-metre boundary at the Pavilion End. The Welsh county, who were bowled out for 85 in the competition by Kent last week, were more than indebted to Jimmy Maher’s 76 from 103 balls. The Queensland captain helped Glamorgan to recover from 35 for three on a pitch that seamed, especially after being under plastic sheets during the rain delay.

After Maher was deceived by a slower ball from Rikki Clarke, it was left to Mark Wallace and Dean Cosker to add 42 in the last five overs, with Wallace hitting Clarke back over his head for two sixes in an over.