CRICKET: DOUBLE THE TON FOR GLAM ACE MIKE; Powell hits backtoback centuries.

MICHAEL Powell rewrote the Glamorgan record books with a century in both innings to give his side a chance of registering a third Frizzell County Championship victory of the season.

The inform middle order star became the first Glamorgan batsman to score a century in both innings against Worcestershire, following up his 125 with 142. It was also the first time he has scored two centuries in the same match.

And his match aggregate of 267 was compiled during nearly nine hours at the wicket.

His innings yesterday - from 229 balls with 20 fours and a six - helped to jockey Glamorgan into a challenging position from which they had chance to push for a third consecutive Division Two victory.

The home side's situation hadn't looked particularly secure at one stage yesterday morning when Worcestershire enjoyed a 58run lead on first innings and then had Glamorgan nine for one in the second.

But a thoroughly responsible partnership between David Hemp and Powell - 148 in 47 overs - turned the game slowly in Glamorgan's favour.

Hemp had been at the wicket for an hour and 15 minutes, having shared a 51run partnership with Jonathan Hughes, by the time Powell joined him.

Uncharacteristically, Hemp dropped anchor and allowed Powell to be the dominant partner.

Out of the 100 partnership Powell supplied 77 of the runs, and it took Hemp two and a half hours and 155 balls to reach his second halfcentury of the season.

After such a responsible partnership the manner of Hemp's run out on the stroke of tea was relatively careless and it heralded a mini middle order collapse that saw Mathew Maynard go for a rare duck, with Glamorgan going from 208 for two to 217 for five.

But a 64run partnership between Powell and skipper Robert Croft ensured Worcestershire would have to chase more than 200 for victory.

Glamorgan ended the third day on 311 for eight, an overall lead of 253, but rain could yet ruin the home side's victory charge.

At the start of day three Glamorgan needed just 3.5 overs with the new ball to mop up the Worcestershire tail yesterday morning.

The New Road outfit had resumed on 3158 but were only able to add a further 12 runs.

Alex Wharf did the damage taking the final two wickets in the space of five deliveries.

He had wicketkeeper David Adshead well caught by Michael Kasprowicz running in from the fine leg boundary and then trapped Shaftab Khalid lbw to end the innings.

# Gormer captain Steve James is hopeful of making a full recovery from his careersaving knee surgery he had on Frid a y.

CAPTION(S):

# HITTING OUT Mike Powell keeps the Worcestershire fielders on their toes en route to his second century of the match; h yesterday.