Wednesday 24 September 2014 20:18, UK
Hampshire moved closer to securing promotion to LV= County Championship Division One after dominating the second day of their clash with Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium.
The visitors bowled out Glamorgan for 172 before reaching 175-3 in their second innings at the close of play, a lead of 360 when their first total is taken into account.
Glamorgan went into the second day looking to respond positively to Hampshire's 357 all out but were reduced to 119-5 as Chris Wood claimed four early wickets.
Skipper Mark Wallace was the only player to pass the half-century mark as he made 51 before being cleaned up by Wood, who finished with 4-42.
The wickets continued to fall as Matt Coles recorded figures of 3-58 and Imran Tahir also grabbed a couple of scalps before the innings was out.
Hampshire's openers Will Smith (39) and Jimmy Adams piled on the agony as they put on 79 for the first wicket before the latter kicked on to 91 from 121 balls.
James Vince was well set on 32 not out at stumps as Hampshire chase the win they need to go up to the top division.
Their rivals for promotion - Essex - are also in a good position to win after Jesse Ryder smashed an unbeaten 120 from 117 balls in a first-innings total of 431 against already-promoted Worcestershire at Chelmsford.
The visitors had been bowled out for just 84 on the opening day but did reach 113-2 in their second innings by the stumps on Wednesday - a deficit of 234 runs.
Nick Browne was the other main contributor for Essex as he made 118, while Charles Morris (3-75) and Moeen Ali (3-108) finished as the pick of a laboured bowling effort.
Moeen then finished the day unbeaten on 70 in Worcestershire’s second innings. But even if Essex collect their expected victory, they will be pipped for promotion if Hampshire beat Glamorgan.
Elsewhere in the final round of Division Two fixtures, Ben Cotton took 4-20 and Tony Palladino 3-34 as Derbyshire skittled Leicestershire for 141 before reaching 162-1 in their second innings, a lead of 310.
It could have been much worse for Leicestershire but for 34 from Ben Raine and an unbeaten 24 from Charlie Shreck lifted the visitors from 63-7 at Derby.
Derbyshire’s Ben Slater (73 not out) and Wayne Madsen (66 not out) ended the day well set.
Gloucestershire hauled themselves into a strong position against Kent as William Tavare hit an unbeaten 101 for the visitors at Canterbury.
After bowling Kent out for 164, Gloucestershire finished on 208-2 in their second innings to establish a 223-run lead.
