Derbyshire v Glamorgan FP Trophy

Although in the end it was much harder work than looked likely when we were 80-0, Derbyshire won today's game with a professional performance by 4 wickets and with 4 overs in hand.

There was a mid-innings wobble when the spinners came on and tied things down (just as happened in their innings) but ultimately Garry Park showed again why John Morris signed him with a controlled, unbeaten 43 from 81 deliveries. Accompanied by Graham Wagg he saw us across the line when 29 were required, Wagg wasting little time in his unbeaten cameo of 19.

Earlier Tim Groenewald took a key early wicket and the man we wanted, Mark Cosgrove, went to a caught and bowled by Greg Smith. Only the Glamorgan skipper, James Dalrymple, stayed for long and he could never score quickly enough to set a really tough score. Groenewald impressed on his debut and praise is also due to the relatively inexperienced spin duo of Mark Lawson and Jake Needham, who bowled tight spells in the middle of the innings. Dan Redfern also showed the merits of having extra bowlers with a useful five over stint and the Glamorgan total always looked gettable.

When Redfern and Stubbings set off at a rate of knots and we were 80-0 in 17 overs it looked a breeze, yet again the advent of experienced duo Cosker and Dalrymple slowed the scoring. Wavell went cheaply again and is due some runs and the game's levelling powers showed when Greg Smith, unbeaten against Surrey in the Championship match, went first ball. At 108-4 Derbyshire were rocking but Dom Telo, playing in the place of the injured Stuart Law (finger) played a bright innings before he was bowled.

James Pipe then came in to play another bright cameo, but when he was run out with 29 still required, it was left to Wagg and the admirable Park to see us home.

So, still unbeaten this season. Next stop is another Championship match against Glamorgan, when the thinking money would be on a turning track and Robert Croft making an appearance. While not the best of sides, Glamorgan have some fair players and this one came down to our seamers doing better than theirs as back up to the "stranglers" of spin, while Park showed himself a player of fine ability.

Finally honourable mention for Dan Redfern, who again showed what a fine prospect he is with a beautiful knock at the top of the innings. I maintain he is the best young batsman I've seen at Derbyshire since Kim Barnett and if he does as well as the ex-skipper we'll have some happy hours ahead.