GLAMORGAN failed to build on their fine start to the NatWest T20 Blast after failing to post enough runs in a seven-wicket defeat to Essex.

Chasing a modest score of 140 for six, the visitors reached 143 for three with 22 balls to spare after opener Jesse Ryder set them on their way with a superb innings of 42 from just 23 balls.

He was ably assisted by Tom Westley as the pair added 55 runs in five overs following the departure of Ravi Bopara for four.

When Ryder departed with the score on 64 for two, Westley continued the fine start by easing Essex to the halfway point of their reply at 87 for two.

He was finally dismissed for 41 off 29 balls by Colin Ingram, but Dan Lawrence (24) and experienced all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate (30) helped clinch their first win of the season in the competition with an unbroken partnership of 49.

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn was making his debut for Glamorgan, who had started the tournament with a stunning win at Surrey, and his three overs went for 32 runs.

Earlier, Aneurin Donald, 19, produced a superb innings of 51 from 38 balls that included two sixes and five other boundaries.

He featured in the substantial partnership of the innings with Ingram as they added 56 in 7.1 overs for the third wicket. Ingram contributed 26 before he became one of two wickets for Bopara.

The departure of Donald in the 14th over, bowled by left-arm spinner Ashar Zaidi, left Glamorgan on 105 for four.

The Essex attack restricted them to 20 runs from the next five overs before Pakistan international Wahab Riaz's final over cost 15 runs.