By Edward Bevan at Cardiff
First day of four: Worcs 241-8 v Glamorgan
STEVE RHODES, with 81 not out, led the recovery after Glamorgan's seamers had made early inroads on a green Sophia Gardens pitch but the home team failed to capitalise on their early advantage after Worcestershire had slumped to 63 for five in the 29th over.
Rhodes was dropped at third slip on five - a straight-forward chance off Darren Thomas - and he went on to share in two partnerships which should gain his side two batting points.
Rhodes and David Leatherdale initiated the recovery with a partnership of 57 for the sixth wicket, then Phil Newport, belying his place at No 10 in the batting order, further frustrated Glamorgan to stay with Rhodes and add 86 for the ninth wicket.
Worcestershire, put in on a pitch which seamed at one end and swung at the other, lost Vikram Solanki in the third over and then suffered a collapse when four wickets fell for only 20 runs. However, Abdul Hafeez justified his inclusion with a solid innings before falling to Steve Watkin's slower ball for 43.
At 155 for eight, Glamorgan were well placed but Newport, who finished unbeaten on 49, then joined Rhodes to share in the highest partnership of the innings on a pitch which by the end of the day had eased.
After missing the last game because of an injured elbow, Waqar Younis pulled up with a leg injury after bowling only two balls of his final spell, but said afterwards he was hopeful of resuming this morning.
Day 2: Thomas dual role puts Glamorgan in control
By Edward Bevan at Cardiff
Second day of four: Glamorgan (288-9) lead Worcs (273) by 15 runs
DARREN THOMAS, having taken his first five-wicket haul of the season, rescued Glamorgan with a disciplined innings after they had suffered an alarming collapse. Thomas, unbeaten on 69, played a valuable partnership of 100 with Robert Croft for the eighth wicket which ensured Glamorgan a first-innings lead and the possibility of three batting points.
Gavin Haynes, who was originally left out for this game and then recalled when Philip Weston withdrew with tonsilitis, had earlier made the most of his opportunity by enducing the collapse where Glamorgan lost eight wickets for 83 runs.
After the openers had cruised to 86 in 24 overs and Tom Moody had dismissed Adrian Shaw, Haynes got enough movement in the air and from the pitch to have two batsmen caught at short leg before trapping Matthew Maynard leg before. Gary Butcher then pulled a long hop to square-leg and Haynes's bustling medium pace returned four for 47 in an unchanged, 19-over spell.
Michael Powell, averaging 65 this season, confirmed his considerable potential with a series of glorious drives on either side of the wicket but, after striking eight boundaries, was undone by Phil Newport's late inswing.
Worcestershire were in control at 169 for seven, but Thomas and Croft, after a cautious start, re-established the innings with some selective strokeplay, though Worcestershire were handicapped by the absence of Stuart Lampitt who is ill.
Earlier Steve Rhodes had completed the fourth century of his career and shared a partnership of 104 with Newport for the ninth wicket as Worcestershire added a further 32 runs.
Duncan Fletcher, who coached Glamorgan to their championship success last season, has spent two days talking to officials at Sophia Gardens and the club are hopeful that he will return next year.
Day 3: No play due to rain.
Day 4: James' century unrewarded
By Edward Bevan at Cardiff
Glamorgan (288-9 & 268-8) drew with Worcs (273 & 296-7)
DESPITE a superb effort from their prolific opener, Steve James, who struck 152 from 192 balls, Glamorgan failed by 14 runs to win their second championship game of the season.
They were finally undone by David Leatherdale's medium pace. He took four wickets for three runs in nine balls before Glamorgan called off their run chase with seven deliveries remaining.
Earlier Tom Moody (104 not out) had declared after reaching his hundred shortly after lunch, leaving Glamorgan a target of 282 from 58 overs.
Although Adrian Shaw dragged a ball from Almagir Sheriyar onto his stumps, James and Adrian Dale launched the innings with an 81-run partnership before Dale edged Vikram Solanki's offspin to the wicketkeeper.
James reached 50 from 59 balls after Waqar Younis - promoted in the order - had perished in the deep. Matthew Maynard, who pulled the wayward Sheriyar into the pavilion, was unluckily run out when James's drive was deflected by the bowler onto the stumps.
Tony Cottey then joined James and Glamorgan were in sight of victory as the fifth-wicket pair added a rapid 69 in 10 overs before Leatherdale ended their hopes with his four wicket burst.
With 26 runs needed from the last three overs, Cottey drove Leatherdale to Moody at short extra cover and with his next ball trapped Michael Powell leg before.
With wickets in hand, Glamorgan continued to attack but after Richard Illingworth had bowled an exemplary over, Leatherdale struck again when Robert Croft holed out at long off.
James, who has scored more than 700 runs this season, was then well caught by Solanki near the square leg boundary and with him went Glamorgan's hopes of victory.