A LATE batting assault from Andrew Salter wasn’t enough for Glamorgan CC as they fell 11 runs short in their run chase against the Birmingham Bears in their Natwest T20 semi-final at Edgbaston yesterday.

Chasing 176 to win, The Dragons entered the final over needing 26 for victory, and Salter smashed two fours and a six off Chris Woakes’ first three balls, before aiming another big hit and holing out to Adam Hose on the boundary for 27.

It meant Jacques Rudolph’s side finished 164 all out, missing out on a first ever T20 final appearance.

The Bears had earlier been set up by a brutal knock from opener Ed Pollock, who hit 50 off just 27 balls, with former St Ishmaels player Salter himself taking 0 for 6 from the only over he bowled.

It was Rudolph who then hit 65 to give his side hope after they had fallen to 39 for 3, losing key men Colin Ingram and David Miller in the process.

But after he was run out, the contest appeared over as The Dragons found themselves 150 for 9, before Salter’s blast reinvigorated hope.

Afterwards Salter, 24, was one of many Glamorgan players to publicly thank the supporters who travelled, and said of the final over: “I hope it doesn’t haunt me – I simply swang as hard as I could.”

It was the Notts Outlaws who were eventually crowned champions, overcoming Hampshire in their final four game before beating the Bears by 22 runs in the final.