GLAMORGAN's fourth successive victory in Division Two of the Norwich Union League was never in doubt after they had battered a poor Essex attack for 289 runs at Cardiff.

Rain had reduced the match to 41 overs per side but Glamorgan maintained a run rate of seven an over throughout and finished with only six wickets down.

It all meant that Essex had to fling the bat but they did not score their first run until the 16th delivery of their innings.

They suffered against Andrew Davies in particular who, for the third successive match, just missed out on a hat-trick.

Openers Keith Newell and Jimmy Maher raised the 50 in eight overs and though Maher perished in the next over, it was Newell in a pinch-hitting role who cracked 65 from 53 balls before being second out at 119.

Robert Croft took over Newell's role and smashed a glorious 92 from 83 balls - hit fourth half-century in six innings and his best-ever one-day score.

He and Mike Powell, who scored 46 from 48 balls added 101 in 14 overs for the fourth wicket.

When Essex replied they lost Richard Clinton and Graham Napier to Davies in the opening seven overs and Darren Robinson was smartly stumped by Adrian Shaw three overs later.

Davies then settled the match by knocking down Stuart Law's off stump as he tried uncharacteristically to swing over midwicket. The next ball saw Paul Grayson taken at second slip by Powell.

It was all going right for the home side and Davies produced a career-best five for 39 from nine overs as Matthew Maynard took a diving catch to dismiss Essex skipper Ronnie Irani.

Essex, at the foot of the table, lasted only until the 26th over when they were dismissed for 111 to give Glamorgan victory by 178 runs.

* The CricInfo Championship Division One clash between Glamorgan and Essex ended in a draw after the final day was washed out.