GLAMORGAN will host a One Day Cup semi-final on Sunday after topping Group B with a 62-run win over Yorkshire Vikings in Cardiff.
The Sophia Gardens side have a shot at repeating their 2021 success in the tournament thanks to a sixth win from eight games.
They had already booked a spot in the knockout stages but got the job done against Yorkshire to ensure that either Worcestershire or Warwickshire will head to Cardiff this weekend for a place in the Trent Bridge final at the end of September.
Glamorgan will be quietly confident of their chances after losing just once in the group stages, to a Leicestershire side who pipped Warwickshire to second place.
“We needed a reaction after losing to Leicestershire and we got it. It will be nice to put our feet up and then begin our preparations for Sunday’s home semi final,” said captain Kiran Carlson.
“You can feel the confidence building in much the same way as it did in 2021 and the fans were brilliant.
“I just hope we get a good day at the weekend and we can get as many as possible at Sophia Gardens.”
A solid 66 from ex-Yorkshire batter Billy Root against his brother Joe’s county was the important knock in the total of 230/9 in a game reduced to 47 overs because of early rain.
His 56-run partnership with Timm van der Gugten for the ninth wicket proved crucial in hauling the home side through the 200 run mark.
The Yorkshire spin attack of Dom Bess and Dan Moriarty tied down the Glamorgan batters with a spell of 20 overs between them that cost only 94 runs. Moriarty ended up with 3-47 from his 10 overs.
Van der Gougten ended on an unbeaten 34, which included a six and three fours, and then gave Glamorgan the perfect start with a wicket with the first ball of the Yorkshire reply, trapping Harry Duke lbw. He ended with 2/32 from his 10 overs to complete a good day. The Vikings then lurched to 11/3 in seven overs as Noah Kelly and William Luxton were both clean bowled.
Skipper Jonathan Tattersall provided some much needed stability with his 51, enjoying profitable stands of 46 with Yash Vagadia and 59 with Matt Revis as the Vikings improved to 116/5.
Then a burst of three wickets in 12 balls by Andy Gorvin in the 27th and 29th overs saw Revis (28), Tattersall (51) and George Hill (2) all depart to turn the game even more in favour of the Welsh county.
With the run rate rising to more than six per over, Bess hit out before he was caught by Dan Douthwaite for an enterprising 22. That gave spinner Ben Kellaway his second wicket - one with his left arm and the next with his right.
At 152/8 the Vikings were still 78 short of their total and needing to score at more than seven an over. Kellaway and Gorvin mopped up the tail as Yorkshire were all out for 168.
“We’re really pleased for the supporters, for the club to be hosting a big occasion at Sophia Gardens,” said head coach Grant Bradburn.
"Here’s hoping for a nice weekend weather wise and a nice crowd on Sunday, getting behind a team that’s playing an aggressive, exciting brand of cricket.
“We’re pleased with our campaign so far and it’s nice to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Leicester to play very well, especially in the second half.”
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