By Edward Bevan at Swansea
First day of four: Surrey (113-6) trail Glamorgan (197) by 84 runs
THE ball swung on an overcast day near the sea at St Helen's yesterday as 16 wickets fell to leave an intriguing contest between the county champions and this season's leaders fairly evenly poised.
Matthew Maynard, who opened the innings and top-scored with 65, must have had thoughts of fielding first. But when, contrary to expectations, Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq made themselves available, a run chase in the fourth innings against this formidable spin duo on a wearing pitch was not a favourable option.
Apart from Maynard, no one mastered Martin Bicknall, whose figures failed to reflect a superb performance, and Adam Hollioake, whose nagging accuracy gained him career-best figures of five for 62.
Surrey fared no better when they batted, losing Jason Ratcliffe to the first ball of the innings and Nadeen Shahid, who was also undone by Steve Watkin two overs later.
A composed innings by Ian Ward and some lusty blows from Alistair Brown rescued Surrey from 31 for three. But Glamorgan struck back in the final 15 minutes as two wickets fell for the addition of one run, including Ward, who was run out after completing his half-century.
Day 2: Salisbury bounces back
By Edward Bevan at Swansea
Second day of four: Glamorgan (197 & 170-6) lead Surrey (199) by 168 runs
A CONTROLLED and accurate spell of legspin by Ian Salisbury on a St Helen's turner has given Surrey a chance of their fifth win of the season and of strengthening their position at the top of the table.
Salisbury did not bowl until the 28th over of the second innings - he is still not 100 per cent fit from a groin injury - but he immediately induced a collapse as Glamorgan lost five wickets for only 36 runs. He said afterwards that he was 'sore' and that he would not have been fit enough to play in a Test match, but his presence here has been invaluable to Surrey.
Only Matthew Maynard (71) with his second fifty of the game, threatened to counter the threat of Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq but he also fell to Salisbury - sweeping to deep midwicket.
Earlier, the last four Surrey wickets added another 86 runs to give them a two-run lead, but they squandered a batting point as Saqlain was bowled heaving across the line.
Maynard and Adrian Dale put on 78 for Glamorgan's second wicket after Steve James was leg before to Martin Bicknell for the second time in the game, but just as Glamorgan were contemplating a healthy lead Dale nicked Saqlain's floater to slip.
Salisbury then made an immediate impact as Mike Powell was bowled through the gate, Tony Cottee lifted his back foot attempting to sweep and Gary Butcher touched one to slip.
Adrian Shaw and Darren Thomas held out for the last 15 overs as Salisbury, bowling unchanged, amassed figures of 22-6-44-4, reminding all that he has lost little of his guile during his three-week lay-off.
Day 3: Brown and Ward steer Surrey home
By Edward Bevan at Swansea
Third day of four: Surrey (199 & 214-4) bt Glamorgan (197 & 212) by 6 wkts
A MATCH-WINNING partnership of 156 between Alistair Brown (100) and Ian Ward (79 not out) laid the foundation for Surrey's fifth County Championship win of the season to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Ian Salisbury achieved his best figures for Surrey during Glamorgan's second innings. After demolishing the middle order on Thursday, Salisbury took another three wickets yesterday morning to leave Surrey a 211-run victory target.
With Saqlain Mushtaq the ideal foil at the other end, Surrey had the perfect combination for the con- ditions, but Glamorgan, without Robert Croft, had no one to complement Dean Cosker, who bowled well but without any luck, especially at the start of Brown's innings.
Surrey soon lost Jason Ratcliffe, sweeping at Cosker and after Nadeem Shahid was caught off a leading edge and Adam Hollioake leg before second ball, they were faltering at 52 for three.
Ward, however, remained steadfast and Surrey are fortunate to have such a capable deputy for Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher as the Devon-born left-hander who was released by the club after the 1992 season but then re-engaged four years later.
Both batsmen reached their fifth championship half-century of the season, Brown from 82 balls and Ward from twice as many deliveries.
Brown then raced to his hundred with his fifth six of the innings, and though he was out, Surrey required just three runs for victory.