GLAMORGAN LAUNCH FIGHTBACK
Openers Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg launched a Glamorgan fightback in their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Surrey but the home side still face an uphill struggle to avoid defeat on the final day at Colwyn Bay.
That was after off-spinner Gareth Batty claimed two late wickets as Glamorgan finished on 182 for two, still requiring 175 to avoid an innings defeat.
After resuming the third morning on 400 for five in their first innings Surrey went on to make 589 for eight declared - Surrey's second highest total against Glamorgan - to build up an imposing lead of 357.
Unselfishly skipper Gary Wilson decided to bring a halt to the Surrey innings despite him being on 97 not out. Wilson's decision came after a rain break.
Bragg and Rudolph survived the Surrey new ball and then spin from both ends to reach to put on 155 for the first wicket before both perishing in consecutive Batty overs .
Earlier Jason Roy and captain Wilson looked to accelerate Surrey's 168-run lead but that was halted in the fifth over of the day.
In a mix-up going for a single Roy was run out by Ben Wright at cover. Roy's 70 had come at a run a ball.
Batty and Wilson put on 61 in 16.4 overs before off-spinner Batty (26) was stumped by Mark Wallace off Cosker the ball after he had dispatched the slow left armer for six.
That left Surrey 480 for seven, but with a lead of 248. By lunch that had increased to 312 as Wilson and Chris Tremlett built a useful eighth-wicket stand.
Matters did not get better for Glamorgan when opener Rudolph having to leave the field after receiving a painful blow to the hand attempting a catch off his own bowling.
Tremlett, who has already scored a 90 this season, went to his 50 from 48 balls with a six over square. Tremlett (56) went in the next over edging a Will Owen bouncer behind.
But at the other end Wilson went closer to his century but that was interrupted by rain which left him stranded on 97 with Surrey 589 for eight.
Wilson's selfless declaration meant Glamorgan had to survive 50 overs as they required 367 to make Surrey to bat again. Glamorgan's cause was not helped that Matt Dunn nearly breached Rudolph's defences with the first ball of the Glamorgan second innings.
But either side of tea Glamorgan reached 85 for nought from 15 overs which heralded the spin option from Zafar Ansari .
Will Bragg played positively for a 54 balls with eight fours with the Glamorgan 100 coming up in the 19th over.
The 150 had just been brought up when Rudolph (73) was trapped in his crease by Batty to leave the home side 155 for one eight overs before the close.
That became 162 for two in Batty's next over as Bragg (73) also went lbw. Batty finished with figures of two for 24 from his 12 overs.
