Rees, Harris help Glamorgan take control

Gareth Rees scored his first fifty of the season and James Harris took five wickets for 39 runs as Glamorgan moved themselves into a strong position against Gloucestershire at Cardiff. Glamorgan ended the second day of the County Championship Division Two match on 185 for 3 in their second innings - an overall lead of 199 after they had bowled the visitors out for 188 in 89.1 overs.

But the Welsh county did not have it completely their own way today, with a frustrating eighth-wicket partnership between Jon Lewis (56) and Vikram Banerjee holding them up. The home side were not helped that left-arm seamer Graham Wagg was off the field after suffering a hamstring injury on the first day.

But early on Glamorgan did not require his services as Harris broke through in the sixth full over of the morning to have Will Gidman caught at square leg by Rees. And Adam Shantry claimed his third wicket when he bowled Ian Saxelby as Gloucestershire, who had resumed the day on 76 for 5 - 126 behind, were reduced to 94 for 7.

That was effectively 94 for 8 after Chris Dent suffered a double fracture of the finger in the field and was unable to bat. But Lewis and Banerjee frustrated Glamorgan either side of lunch putting on 77 in 39 overs.

Lewis brought up his half-century in 94 balls with three fours before Harris struck in the fourth over with the second new ball. Substitute Stewart Walters, on the field for the injured Wagg, took a stunning slip catch swooping to his right at second slip to dismiss Banerjee to give Harris his fourth victim. Harris claimed his fifth wicket when Lewis was the last man out caught behind to finish with impressive figures of 5 for 39 from 25.1 overs.

Glamorgan openers Gareth Rees and Alviro Petersen raced to 44 in 10 overs before tea. But although Rees lost his captain, who was trapped leg before by Saxelby, he went on to register a 71-ball half-century with nine fours. After putting on 65 in just 11 overs with fellow left-hander Will Bragg, Rees also went leg before wicket to Will Gidman, who also bowled Michael Powell four overs later.

There were no more scares for Glamorgan, however, as Bragg and Ben Wright had added 42 runs for the fourth wicket by the close.