Cricket: Morris shines on a sleepy day: Rupert Metcalf reports from Abergavenny
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Your support makes all the difference.Glamorgan 276 and 113-2; Somerset 250-5 dec
THE SPLENDIDLY picturesque Pen-y-Pound ground has seen some spectacular batting feats in recent years. Yesterday's cricket, however, was a standard sleepy day on the county circuit, as Somerset crawled to a declaration 26 runs adrift of Glamorgan, who finished with a lead of 139.
The Welshmen had stumbled to an unimpressive total of 276 on Friday, the first day of their annual visit to this green and pleasant corner of Monmouthshire. Watched by a sparse crowd - the rival attraction of Abergavenny's agricultural show apparently proving a tempting alternative - Somerset's response lacked nothing in determination and diligence but was somewhat short on panache and purpose.
Two years ago here, when Worcestershire were the visitors, over 600 runs were scored on the Saturday. The chances of another such feast of runs yesterday were lessened by the absence of Mark Lathwell, Somerset's precociously talented opening batsman, who was ruled out with a groin injury.
Steve Watkin, whose opening spell of 10 overs cost just 12 runs, had to retire from the fray with a back injury. His replacement, Daren Foster, a former Somerset bowler, was much less accurate. At the other end, the reliable Steve Barwick was steadier with his nagging medium pace, but it was Foster who claimed the first wicket when Gareth Townsend edged a ball to Colin Metson.
Andy Hayhurst assumed the leading role and reached his 50 off 145 balls soon after lunch. He provided the shot of the innings with a sumptuous cover drive for four off Adrian Dale.
Richard Harden, after a slow 23, rashly decided to hit out against Robert Croft and was superbly caught by Matthew Maynard. In the next over, Hayhurst hit Barwick straight to Viv Richards and departed for a patient 70.
Chris Tavare was equally studious over his 23 before being bowled by Croft. Graham Rose was sent on his way by a stunning one-handed catch by the 40-year- old Richards at square leg, also off Croft who, with three wickets, was the most successful bowler, while Barwick had 1 for 23 off 21 overs.
The evening saw the day's brightest batting, with Hugh Morris passing 1,000 first-class runs for the season in his unbeaten 58. Another positive declaration will be required tomorrow, though, to produce a result.
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