UNLIKE football, whose quadrennial European penalty-kicking competition is drawing to its close in Portugal, cricket still allows for the draw and the “no result” and even Duckworth/Lewis now permits the tie. Surrey, in their present state, would eagerly accept anything save defeat.

Until Saturday, when the equivalent of two days’ rain and the umpires’ strange refusal to grant an extra eight overs on the third day saw them escape against Worcestershire, Surrey had lost every away game this season. Here, rain relented long enough for Glamorgan to chase 94 in 15 overs and get home with ease.

Such has been Surrey’s demeanour over the years that little sympathy is spared them, but for this game they lacked five injured players and a further three were clearly unfit. Even Greg Blewett, the Australian who will be their fourth overseas player, was unable to gain a work visa in time for the match.

Surrey started well, thanks to Scott Newman’s 43 from 44 balls. But his was the third of four wickets to fall in 23 balls as they slumped to 51 for four by the tenth over. Andrew Davies, now the highest wicket-taker this year with 17 scalps at 17.88, had Alistair Brown and Mark Ramprakash first ball. Robert Croft removed the left-handers, Mark Butcher and Newman.

Adam Hollioake and Ian Salisbury contributed twenties in support of Jon Batty, their captain, but it was left to Batty, taking 109 balls over his 51, to achieve 197 for eight. His delayed hitting, and an unbeaten 27 in 33 balls from Tim Murtagh, brought 44 from the last six overs.

The downpour prevented a resumption until 6.15pm but 15 minutes later, as 21 came from the third over from Murtagh and 22 off the fourth from Jimmy Ormond, the requirement had become just 37 more at 3.36 per over. The Lions, utterly humbled, watched Croft reach 46 from 25 balls and Ian Thomas finish with 38 from the same number, as Glamorgan extended their lead at the top of the first division with 40 balls left.