Somerset’s seam bowlers produced a superb final session to put their side in a strong position, leaving Glamorgan at 140-5 heading into the final day, needing 143 more runs to chase down an improbable target of 283 on a tricky pitch.
Migael Pretorius was the standout performer, taking three wickets in a quick burst that stalled Glamorgan’s progress, while Craig Overton also impressed with a fine spell. Asa Tribe (52) and Zain Ul Hassan had given Glamorgan a solid start with an 80-run partnership.
Earlier, Somerset recovered from a precarious 32-6 to reach 157 all out, thanks to Tom Abell’s 71. The last two wickets added 94 runs, despite tight bowling from Timm van der Gugten (3-25).
The momentum on a grassy, bouncy surface now appears to be swinging back to Somerset after a hard-fought contest.
Resuming at 32-6 after Tom Norton’s historic hat-trick the previous evening, Somerset lost Craig Overton (15) and Migael Pretorius (6) to van der Gugten’s opening spell, leaving them 63-8 and leading by just 188 runs. However, Lewis Gregory struck a vigorous 45, including eight fours, in a 64-run stand with Abell for the ninth wicket, before van der Gugten clipped Abell’s off-stump.
Abell effectively farmed the bowling to protect last man Jake Ball as Somerset’s lead grew ominously. Even an extra eight overs in the morning session didn’t allow Glamorgan to finish the innings. Ryan Hadley finally dismissed Abell two balls after the break, with his runs including six fours and two sixes, while Ball didn’t contribute to an important 30-run stand.
That seemed to make Somerset firm favorites, but Zain Ul Hassan and Tribe made a productive start despite the match pattern of numerous plays and misses continuing. Ul Hassan nearly played on to Overton on 19, while Tribe was dropped behind off the same bowler on 20, but both batters drove firmly to put away the odd over-pitched ball, and Glamorgan reached 80-0 by tea.
Overton got his reward in the first over after the break, switching ends, as Ul Hassan (35) edged to slip, conceding just six runs in a fine seven-over spell. Kiran Carlson got tied down and was caught behind off Jake Ball slashing at a wide delivery.
Then came a brief revival from Tribe and Ben Kellaway, but Pretorius struck potentially decisive blows, having Tribe caught behind, pinning Colin Ingram lbw, and then forcing Kellaway (22) to provide a third catch to James Rew.
Ryan Hadley was the surprise choice as night-watchman, but specialist batter Sean Dickson was still needed to emerge at seven against his former teammates to play out the closing overs against a buoyant attack.
