Schofield keeps Glamorgan waiting

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Chris Schofield advances to a season's best of 90 as Surrey held off Glamorgan's victory charge at the Brit Insurance Oval

Chris Schofield’s highest score of the season helped Surrey hold off the threat of defeat against promotion-chasing Glamorgan at the Brit Insurance Oval and ensured Sussex go up as Division Two champions.

Schofield came to the crease with the hosts in the mire at 21 for five in their second innings, only 125 in front. However, the unorthodox left-hander struck a stubborn 90 to take Surrey to safety.

Schofield, who made 63 in the first innings, shared stands of 124 with Gary Wilson and 54 alongside Gareth Batty before the two sides shook hands with the score 206 for seven.

Worcestershire’s victory over Middlesex earlier today means Glamorgan, who yesterday had to battle to avoid the follow-on, must beat Derbyshire next week to secure the second promotion spot.

Glamorgan could only add three to their overnight 273 for nine as Jade Dernbach trapped Huw Waters in front for 16 with the sixth ball of the day.

However, the Surrey batsmen were soon struggling on a pitch still offering some new-ball assistance as 20-year-old seamer James Harris claimed four quick wickets.

Tom Lancefield got a leading edge trying to pull Harris in the fifth over and was caught at cover before Waters struck when Jason Roy carelessly carved to backward point in the next over.

Mark Ramprakash failed to cope with Harris’ extra bounce as he edged to second slip without scoring and Harris struck again when Rory Hamilton-Brown played around a straight one.

On-loan Kevin Pietersen settled for a period of defence and needed 17 balls to get off the mark with a single into the leg side.

But having faced 23 deliveries in 34 minutes, he was palpably leg before to Harris without further addition trying to work across a straight one and only half-forward.

Pietersen’s departure, though, was the last success Glamorgan were to enjoy for 43 overs as Schofield and Wilson fought back.

Wilson offered a sharp return catch on six which Harris spilled in his follow-through, but after lunch the pair began to play more expansively.

Wilson fell to Robert Croft’s off-spin for 45 when when he speared a drive to extra-cover but Surrey’s lead was 251 by then and any chance of a positive result had gone.

Schofield was 10 short of what would have been only his second first-class century when he was stumped down leg trying to hit Jamie Dalrymple over the top, having faced 203 balls and hit 11 fours.

Harris finished with impressive figures of 4-36 from 14 overs as Glamorgan took eight points to Surrey’s 10 to remain nine ahead of third-placed Worcestershire.