Watkin relieves the Welshmen

Somerset 277 and 214

Glamorgan 405 and 89-2

Glamorgan win by eight wickets

Glamorgan, set to score 87 to win in what became 22 overs, duly completed their third win in all competitions in this young season by eight wickets, with nine overs to spare on a mellow Somerset evening.

With Steve Watkin (7 for 49) once again in rampant form the Welshmen were relieved with a first Championship victory in three days, after being held up for four and a half hours by Peter Bowler. While Derbyshire were celebrating their record win over Sussex, their former opener Bowler was demonstrating what his value could be to Somerset.

The loss of Saturday's play meant Glamorgan's hopes of victory rested on bowling out Somerset, 123 behind, inexpensively. As on last Thursday morning, the pitch was responsive to seam and Watkin duly took advantage, beating Mark Lathwell off the pitch and trading on Marcus Trescothick's audacity. Richard Harden was taken behind, Andy Hayhurst caught down the leg side and Rob Turner run out. At 59 for 5, Welshmen were not bothering to save their teacakes.

Somerset's plight might have been worse, for in the over immediately after lunch Bowler, then 44, could have been held by Colin Metson, diving down the leg side. By then the sun had been shining for several hours, the pitch dried and, cheered by this escape, Bowler and Graham Rose joined in a vigilant partnership of 129 in the next 47 overs.

By 2.25pm Bowler had reached his 50 and cleared the deficit. His aggressive partner passed 50 five minutes later and, for perhaps the first time in this match, Glamorgan were unsure, Maynard calling conferences between the overs as he permutated seven bowlers.

The overs ticked away, Somerset seemed confident of saving the match until, just before tea, Watkin, whose morning figures had read 9-2-25- 4, returned for his third spell and, immediately, caused both batsmen their first real concern of the afternoon.

Rose's gallant 84, off 141 balls, was ended by another catch behind, Mushtaq Ahmed lasted five balls - giving David Hemp, bustling right-arm, a maiden first-class wicket - and by tea, with a lead of 61, Somerset had only three wickets left. Watkin ensured the resistance was brief, last man Andre van Troost being run out as Bowler tried to keep the strike.

A Welsh victory was not quite a formality. Andrew Caddick removed Adrian Dale, the anchorman, and 24 were needed when van Troost yorked Hemp before Steve James turned off the alarms.