Gloucestershire 313 and 41 for 2 lead Glamorgan 287 (Selman 73, Labuschagne 65) by 67 runs
Some impressive seam bowling saw Gloucestershire grab a narrow advantage on the third day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Glamorgan at Bristol.
David Payne, Josh Shaw and Ryan Higgins ended with three wickets each as the visitors were bowled out for 287 from an overnight 187 for 4, a first-innings deficit of 26.
Marnus Labuschagne contributed 65 and Graham Wagg 33, but it was a struggle for the Glamorgan batsmen with the floodlights on beneath heavily overcast skies.
By the close Gloucestershire had made 41 for 2 in their second innings and led by 67, James Bracey unbeaten on 14.
Play did not begin until 2pm because of overnight rain and Glamorgan found the going tough against a Gloucestershire attack giving little away.
Payne, who had bowled without any luck the previous day, struck twice in an over to apply some pressure.
The left-arm seamer sent back Labuschagne, caught behind off a thick edge, having added only nine to his overnight score, and four balls later had Owen Morgan, on five, caught at second slip by Miles Hammond.
Labuschagne’s innings took his tally of Championship runs for the season to 769 at an average of 64. His dismissal left Glamorgan 201 for 5.
The second new ball was taken at 232 for 7, Wagg surviving a tough caught-and-bowled chance to Payne on 10 as he and Dan Douthwaite took the total to 247 for 7 at tea. Douthwaite fell for 23 in the final session, lbw playing across a ball from Higgins, having added 49 for the eighth wicket with Wagg.
Marchant de Lange hit a big six over mid-wicket off Higgins, but then edged Payne through to wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick, who took a good catch, diving to his right.
Without further addition, Wagg was caught at third man by Payne off a top edge, looking to attack Higgins and Glamorgan missed out on a third batting point by 13 runs. Payne was the pick of the Gloucestershire attack with 3 for 90, well supported by Shaw and Higgins.
The pitch was still offering a bit for the seamers and the home side quickly lost skipper Chris Dent at the start of their second innings. With the total on three, he edged Michael Hogan to David Llloyd at first slip and departed for two.
Hammond and Bracey took the score to 35 before a swinging delivery from Douthwaite beat Hammond’s forward defensive push and bowled him for 21.
With their lead only 61, Gloucestershire could not afford to lose further wickets. They were spared that threat when the light closed in, even with the floodlights on, and the final seven overs were lost.
Meanwhile, heavy rain at Wantage Road meant the second day of Northamptonshire’s match with Leicestershire was abandoned without a ball bowled. Very heavy rain swept in overnight, leaving the umpires to make a very early decision to scrap the morning session.
An early lunch was called for 12pm but after an inspection shortly afterwards, will rain still falling steadily and puddles forming on the outfield, it was decided no play would be possible. If the skies clear for day three, Leicestershire will resume on six without loss replying to Northamptonshire’s 299.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo