COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Swalec Stadium:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Glamorgan 198 & 156-8 v Middlesex 181
Middlesex 3pts, Glamorgan 3pts
Match scorecard

Allenby's unbeaten 58 was his eighth first-class half century of the season

James Allenby hit a valuable half century to leave Glamorgan's low-scoring clash with Middlesex finely poised after two days in Cardiff.

Allenby ended the day unbeaten on 58 as Glamorgan closed on 156-8 in their second innings, a lead of 173.

He had earlier taken two wickets to finish with 3-43 as Middlesex, 68-2 overnight, were bowled out for 181.

Scott Newman, who resumed on 40 not out, was one of his victims, dismissed just one short of a century.

Play began an hour late because of rain but once it was underway Middlesex lost wickets at regular intervals, with James Harris removing Dawid Malan and Neil Dexter in the space of six balls, while Gareth Berg was run out off the first ball after lunch.

606: DEBATE Another 25 to 30 and then we have a really good chance glamexile

And although Newman kept his calm, his departure to a one-handed catch by Dean Cosker at gully heralded a collapse which saw Middlesex lose their last five wickets for seven runs.

Glamorgan's second innings began like their first, with Tim Murtagh removing Gareth Rees and stand-in number three Robert Croft, and Pedro Collins bowling Mark Cosgrove to leave the hosts on 16-3.

Ben Wright then chopped on to his stumps to give Murtagh a third wicket in the over before tea.

Allenby then began a recovery with Tom Maynard (40), the pair adding 65 before four quick wickets left Glamorgan in deep trouble on 120-8.

But Allenby and captain Jamie Dalrymple, batting with a broken thumb, then held firm as they edged their side towards a position from where they will set Middlesex a testing target on day three.

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