Notts first championship win at Trent Bridge this season

Despite being made to work hard for their wickets Notts duly completed their first championship win at Trent Bridge this year when they dismissed Glamorgan for 246 in their second innings and knocked off the required 63 to win by seven wickets.

The victory earns them 19 points and revives their promotion prospects. Another win at Bristol next week against Gloucs would surely be enough to lift the side into the First Division next season.

Having enforced the follow-on and taken 3 second innings wickets on Day 2 Notts have may expected to roll over the Welsh county when play began but stubborn resistance from Adrian Dale, Ian Thomas, Steve James and Keith Newell ensured that at lunch Glamorgan had every hope of making Notts bat again, as they were just 60 behind.

The first wicket to fall in the afternoon session was that of Adrian Dale who had batted watchfully throughout the morning to reach 41. Feeding on a shortish delivery wide of his off stump Dale slashed to gully where Chris Hewison took his second stunning catch of the day. Diving full length to his right he showed great athleticism to pull off the dismissal and pick up his 5th catch in his debut match.

England Under 19 wicketkeeper Mark Wallace joined Keith Newell and the pair put on a rapid 46 for the 7th wicket, with both batsmen eager to push for quick singles.

Paul Franks returned to the attack and with Glamorgan just 7 away from making Notts go in again he broke the partnership. Newell, who'd made 35, couldn't get forward to a well pitched-up delivery and umpire Alan Whitehead gave the lbw verdict in favour of the bowler, who'd claimed his 5th victim.

Alex Wharf had left the Trent Bridge staff a year ago and was heard to be singing wryly "It's good to be back" (a la Gary Glitter!) the previous evening, with his side in desperate trouble. He did nothing to help their cause on the 3rd day, trapped for 0 in his crease by AJ Harris to complete a pair. The batsman clearly thought that the first impact had been ball on bat but umpire Nigel Cowley took an alternative point of view.

Darren Thomas again emerged with a runner and slashed Franks square to take his side past 184 and ensure that Notts would have to bat a second time. With a lead of 11 Thomas tried to hook Franks and skied the ball for an easy catch to Darren Bicknell on the offside.

Last man Steve Watkin more than justified his presence at the wicket - not only did he remain long enough for Wallace to complete his half century but he helped himself to 28 as the last wicket put on 51 before Watkin pulled Reiffel to Guy Welton at square-leg.

Reiffel, in what is almost certainly his last Championship game at Trent Bridge, had taken the final wicket but the bowling honours had definitely gone to Paul Franks who finished with 6-59.

Needing 63 for victory Notts were soon in trouble as Steve Watkin demonstrated what a quality bowler he is. In his first fiver overs he nipped out both openers. Welton was caught behind for just 4 for the second time in the match and Bicknell was also taken by `keeper Wallace for 3.

With thoughts of an embarrassing collapse increasing Notts lost another wicket to the Watkin/Wallace combination when Chris Hewison was taken via an inside edge. Watkin's figures read 3-12 as the home side struggled on 28-3.

A quick flurry of runs from the bat of Usman Afzaal would have calmed the home dressing room as he and skipper Jason Gallian, who had enjoyed a fine match throughout, saw Notts home without further loss.