Glam in control on Powell's big day

7:49pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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Gareth Rees and David Hemp both clubbed centuries as Glamorgan manoeuvred themselves into a healthy position at the end of the second day against Derbyshire in Cardiff.

It was Rees' second consecutive century against Derbyshire following up his 104 in a losing cause at the same ground last year, while Hemp's 100 was his first in the championship for two years.

By the close Glamorgan had reached 301 for three, a first-innings lead of 12, with Hemp still there on 103.

It was a confident performance from Rees who shared in a 154-run partnership with Hemp in 36 overs as Glamorgan tamed a Derbyshire attack which was minus injured pair Rikki Clarke and Tom Lungley.

After the start of play was delayed until 2.30pm because of morning rain, with the loss of 37 overs, Glamorgan showed positive intent as they resumed on 87 for one - 202 runs behind Derbyshire's first innings of 289 all out.

From only the second ball of the day from Charl Langeveldt, Rees reached his first championship half-century of the campaign.

And with the second wicket pair keen to make up lost time they brought up their 100 partnership in 21 overs as Derbyshire's strike bowlers - Langeveldt and Graham Wagg - failed to make any impact.

Hemp reached his 50 (94 balls with eight fours) in the same over that Rees went to three figures from 132 balls with 14 fours.

The Derbyshire breakthrough came when off-spinner Jake Needham trapped Rees leg before not playing a shot.

But from 193 for two Glamorgan's acceleration did not slow either side of tea, which the side reached at 212 for two.

Michael Powell displayed some good form and in the process of his innings passed 10,000 first-class runs. But just two short of his half-century he edged to first slip to give Needham his second wicket just after trying his luck at the River Taff end.

In the next over Hemp celebrated his century out of 290 for three. It came up off 164 balls with 13 fours and one six.

With 10 overs of the evening session remaining the umpires - Vanburn Holder and Richard Illingworth - took the players from the field because of bad light meaning that a total of 47 overs were lost of the day's play.

- After reaching the career milestone of 10,000 runs in all first-class cricket, Mike Powell said: "I'm really thrilled, especially after all that happened to me last year," referring to his spell in the intensive care ward at Exeter Hospital because of a blood clot in his left forearm.

"It was the thought of playing for Glamorgan again, and scoring runs, that kept me going. I'm not a big stats man, but I know that 10,000 career runs is the target that many people set out to achieve. After the traumas of last year, I'm very relieved to have got there and I feel honoured to join the other Glamorgan batsmen who have passed this landmark."

He is the 42nd Glam batsman to have reached the landmark.