By Edward Bevan at Cardiff

Scoreboard

First day of four: Glamorgan 114 v Derbyshire

DOMINIC CORK'S upraised arms on winning the toss might have been a celebration of calling correctly for only the second time this season, but he would have been equally delighted to bowl first on a lively Sophia Gardens pitch.

Certainly the Derbyshire seamers, who saw their batsmen suffer at Lord's last Saturday, made up for lost time after play began at 2.55pm with Glamorgan bundled out in only 47.2 overs.

There was enough in the pitch to encourage the seamers while a blustery cross-wind assisted swing, but batsmen can prosper on this type of surface through proper application and technique, which were sadly absent in Glamorgan's approach.

The most profitable partnership of the innings was compiled by the last-wicket pair of Owen Parkin and Steve Watkin, who added 23, and although peppered by Cork's bouncers, remained steadfast and showed what might have been had the other batsmen produced a more resolute performance.

Cork literally struck the first blow when, with the first ball of his third over, he caused Wayne Law to retire hurt with a damaged finger, although he did return later to bat at No 8.

Cork then changed ends and, after Trevor Smith had bowled Adrian Dale in his first over, the Derbyshire captain then contributed to three dismissals as Glamorgan lost three wickets without adding a run.

Alun Evans, padding up, was out leg before, Matthew Maynard was run out by Cork and then Michael Powell, playing a defensive shot, saw the ball rebound on to his stumps.

Daniel Cherry, who is making his first-class debut at 18 on the same date Hugh Morris first played for the county 17 years ago, came to the wicket with his side floundering at 28 for four and they were soon 37 for five as Tony Cottey edged Kevin Dean to second slip.

Cherry, who left Tonbridge School this summer after an extremely successful schoolboy career, is also a solidly built, pugnacious left-handed batsman and, to his credit, battled away determinedly before he was undone by Dean.

Parkin and Watkin nudged Glamorgan past three figures with Watkin, who has missed the last four championship games through injury, no doubt eager to exploit the pitch today.

Day 2: Barnett fills the breach

By Edward Bevan at Cardiff

Second day of four: Derbys (181-5) lead Glamorgan (114) by 67 runs

DERBYSHIRE were again indebted to Kim Barnett, who rescued them from an uneasy start and helped create a useful lead which could - weather permitting - bring victory and a possible place in next season's Super Cup.

Barnett, who made an undefeated 72, is nearing the end of his 19th season yet is one of the country's leading run-scorers. He remains one of the most technically correct batsmen on the county circuit - despite taking guard a foot outside the leg stump.

At 64 for five, Derbyshire were in danger of squandering the advantage gained by their bowlers. But Barnett and Dominic Cork (50 not out) regrouped to share an unbroken partnership of 117 for the sixth wicket.

Play began at 1.25pm, and Derbyshire soon subsided to 32 for four in the 17th over as Steve Watkin, back after a five-week absence, and Owen Parkin exploited the bouncy pitch.

Michael Slater soon departed leg before to Parkin, then Watkin induced two edges which were well taken by Matthew Maynard - a capable deputy wicketkeeper.

Barnett and Ben Spendlove then doubled the score but when Spendlove was out Derbyshire were 50 runs adrift. Barnett responded with an array of attacking strokes and was seldom troubled as he reached a fluent half-century from 69 balls.

Cork, after a quiet start, also attacked the bowling and if Derbyshire can add a further hundred runs or so Glamorgan could be hard pressed to avoid a third successive championship defeat.

Day 3

Only 31 balls were bowled at Sophia Gardens yesterday before a torrential thunderstorm flooded the ground with play abandoned for the day at 2.10pm. Kim Barnett and Dominic Cork added a further 19 runs after the start had been delayed until 1.10 because of saturated run-ups caused by a power failure which affected the covers.