Glamorgan secured a home semi-final berth in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a commanding 62-run victory over Yorkshire Vikings at Sophia Gardens. The Welsh county’s sixth win in eight matches propelled them to the top of Group B.
Former Yorkshire player Billy Root played a pivotal role for Glamorgan, scoring a solid 66 against his brother Joe’s county. His crucial 56-run partnership with Timm van der Gugten for the ninth wicket helped the home side reach a competitive total of 230 for 9 in a rain-reduced 47-over match.
Yorkshire’s spin attack, led by Dom Bess and Dan Moriarty, kept the Glamorgan batters in check, conceding only 94 runs in their combined 20 overs. Moriarty claimed three wickets for 47 runs. Van der Gugten, who finished unbeaten on 34, provided Glamorgan with a perfect start by dismissing Harry Duke with the first ball of the Yorkshire reply.
Yorkshire’s batting collapsed to 11 for 3 as Noah Kelly and William Luxton were both clean bowled. Skipper Jonny Tattersall provided some stability with a half-century, but a burst of three wickets in 12 balls by Andy Gorvin turned the game in Glamorgan’s favor.
With the required run rate climbing above six per over, Bess attempted to accelerate but was caught for 22. Spinner Ben Kellaway claimed two wickets, one with his left arm and the other with his right. Yorkshire were eventually dismissed for 168, falling 62 runs short of their target.
Glamorgan’s victory was set up by a solid start from Will Smale and Asa Tribe, who put on 28 runs before Cliff dismissed both openers in quick succession. Sam Northeast was also dismissed cheaply, leaving Glamorgan under pressure at 40 for 3.
Skipper Kiran Carlson and Colin Ingram steadied the innings with a 44-run partnership, but Ingram’s dismissal triggered a collapse. Carlson was trapped lbw shortly after, leaving Glamorgan on 84 for 4.
