Glamorgan 2nd XI v Hampshire 2nd XI 4th August

Hampshire 2nd XI are through to the final of 2nd XI Trophy after beating Glamorgan at Cardiff Captain Jimmy Adams made a brilliant 170

Glamorgan v Hampshire SET Semi Final at Cardiff on 4th August

Match Report by Kevin Baker, 1st Team Analyst and 2nd XI Scorer.

A brilliant 170 from captain Jimmy Adams supported by a fine 103 from Benny Howell, and backed up by enthusiastic bowling and fielding saw Hampshire progress through to the final of the 2nd XI Trophy against a strong Glamorgan, where they will meet Essex at Chelmsford on 1st September.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on a used pitch openers Adams and Howell were at first circumspect; in fact only scoring 26 off the first block of 10 Power Play overs. They gradually increased the rate to 89 off 20 overs and their confidence soared thereafter. They eventually put on 282 for the first wicket as Adams in particular cut loose after completing his century. His captain's innings of 170 came off 155 balls and contained 6 sixes and 16 fours. Benny Howell's maiden 2nd XI hundred was less spectacular but no less valuable, coming off 120 balls and containing 6 fours and 2 sixes; one of which was a square switch hit reminiscent of Kevin Pietersen. Benham and Lamb took the score up to an impressive 310 at the end of the allotted 50 overs.

The moment that Hamza Riazuddin took 2 wickets in his first over to reduce the hosts to 35-2 the match was effectively over as a contest as the run rate began to climb up past 8 an over. Two excellent catches from young Academy players Chris Wood -fielding as a substitute - and Danny Briggs, who also bowled with great skill for a 17-year-old backed up a good all-round bowling performance as the wickets were shared around. Billy Taylor took 1-29 in his tight opening 8 over spell with Hamza taking 2-29, Briggs 2-40, Greg Lamb 2-52, David Griffiths 1-39 and Richard Morris 2-9 at the end. Despite a late flurry from the Glamorgan tail enders there was no way back from 93-6 and they were eventually bowled out for 192, leaving Hampshire comfortable winners by 118 runs.