DESPITE a mid-innings quiver, Gloucestershire kept their chances of winning the South Conference alive by beating Glamorgan with 11 balls to spare.

At 115 for one in the 24th over, needing five an over to win, Gloucestershire were cruising. Ian Harvey had just reached a measured fifty off 60 balls on a fruity pitch, with a slog-swept four off Robert Croft. Two balls later, Harvey top-edged to deep mid-wicket, trying to hit the same shot even farther, precipitating the loss of three wickets for one run.

Croft pinned Phil Weston in his crease leg-before and Hamish Marshall, the New Zealand batsman, made an inglorious debut for his county when he was bowled behind his legs sweeping at Dean Cosker.

Gloucestershire dug in again and, although Alex Gidman went, slashing, Chris Taylor made a potentially tricky 29 off the last 30 balls look easy, striking an excellent 34 off 29 balls. James Franklin, the New Zealand bowler making his debut for Glamorgan, had no impact.

The £22,000 Gloucestershire invested in a new Super-Sopper this season meant they were better prepared for rain and play was under way by 1pm in a game reduced to 36 overs a side. Despite winning the toss, Jon Lewis almost gave Glamorgan the best of the conditions, announcing that he would bat before correcting himself immediately. Croft, as is his nature, tried to argue the toss, and by the letter of the law Lewis was not allowed to change his mind. It left the umpires in an uncomfortable situation, but thankfully Croft backed down.

Glamorgan got off to a good start, Croft making 27 off 30 balls, but when he bottom-edged a heave to leg in the eighth over, Glamorgan began to slow. Worse followed as the unlikely figure of Mark Hardinges ripped out their middle order with his innocuous seamers. In consecutive overs, Alex Wharf and Michael Powell were stumped by Steve Adshead and Glamorgan never regained their momentum.