They say a week is a long time in politics, but as far as the Yorkshire Bank40 competition is concerned, quite a lot can change in the space of 24 hours as the latest round of games on Thursday has seen some important amendments to the standings in Group C from which Glamorgan are hoping to make a bid to reach the semi-finals of the 40 over competition.
After Wednesday night's victory by Glamorgan over Middlesex at Cardiff, Somerset were level on points with the Welsh county but occupying top spot by virtue of a superior run rate. Thursday duly saw the West Country side - in their penultimate group match - extend their lead by two points as they defeated a young and spirited Yorkshire Vikings side by three wickets. Peter Trego, with a brilliant 140, steered Somerset to victory and overcame a late wobble as they won with five balls to spare. However, an important factor as far as Glamorgan are concerned is that the West Country side did not dramatically improve their run rate, and now face a nail-biting encounter in a fortnight's time against Gloucestershire in their final group match.
Gloucestershire were also in action on Thursday against the Middlesex Panthers in a rain-affected game at Lord's, with the home side having returned home east along the M4 after their late-night defeat against Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium. But Dawid Malan showed no signs of tiredness as he posted a century to see Middlesex to 206/5 at the end of their 40 overs, before the home bowlers made their way through the West Country batting with Glamorgan old boy James Harris taking 3/30.
Gloucestershire's defeat means that Glamorgan retain second place spot in the table with the Middlesex Panthers moving up into third place on 13 points and level with Gloucestershire, but with both sides only having a single game remaining.
In contrast, Glamorgan are in second place on 13 points by virtue of their superior run rate, with the Welsh county having two games in hand over current group leaders Somerset, with Glamorgan in prime position to move to the top of the group table and potentially clinch a home tie in the semi-finals in early September..
Glamorgan meet Gloucestershire in their next contest in the Yorkshire Bank40 at Bristol on Sunday. To read a full preview of Glamorgan's match with Gloucestershire, please click here.
