Leaders feel Dragons' breath

The Norwich Union League title race was thrown wide open yesterday after Glamorgan Dragons sent the Division One leaders Worcestershire Royals crashing to a seven-wicket defeat at New Road under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

The Royals, who had lost only one match in this competition before the rain-affected encounter, remain top of the table, but the Dragons have moved second and have a game in hand. The home side were restricted to 202 for 9 off 45 overs with Adrian Dale the pick of the visiting bowlers with 3 for 32 off nine overs, while Andrew Davies and Darren Thomas grabbed two wickets apiece.

Glamorgan made a poor start to their reply, losing their first three wickets with 28 on the board in the ninth over before veterans Matthew Maynard and Steve James took charge.

These two former England batsmen put on 80 in 83 balls without further loss, Maynard unbeaten on 32 off 47 balls and James not out on 41 off 43 when the heavens opened and brought the match to an early close in the 22nd over. Under the Duckworth/Lewis method the Dragons, on 108, were required to have made 91 at this stage to be awarded four points for the victory.