DAVID Hemp and Robert Croft navigated Glamorgan away from potential embarrassment towards respectability at the end of the first day against Oxford UCCE at the Parks.

After being reduced to 45 for four it was left to the side's two senior men Hemp, with his second century at the ground in consecutive seasons, and Croft (81 not out) helped Glamorgan to 300 for nine declared after winning the toss.

By the end of the opening day the students had slipped to 20 for three with David Harrison, Huw Waters and Croft claiming a wicket apiece.

Croft's efforts with the ball would have given him particular satisfaction after being left out of the county's early one-day plans because of doubts surrounding his batting. Croft struck 14 fours in an entertaining innings.

Afterwards Hemp said he was also pleased to get some time in the middle.

'I did score a hundred last year and the most important thing for me was to have some time at the crease and to get a hundred again was pleasing,'' said Hemp.

'The wicket was more of a challenge than it has been here before and it was a good test.

'It was a wicket they used for a one-day game last week. It was a bit of a challenge early on with the ball swinging about, especially with it being a different make of ball than we are used to.''