Essex beat Glamorgan by three runs in a closely fought One Day Cup match in Cardiff, keeping their hopes alive in the competition. Luc Benkenstein’s outstanding 140 set up Essex’s total, while Glamorgan’s Timm van der Gugten made an unbeaten maiden professional century but could not complete an unlikely recovery.

Essex were bowled out for 312 in 47.1 overs after Benkenstein struck 15 fours and seven sixes from 109 balls in an opening stand of 166 with Noah Thain, who made 76. Glamorgan fell to 78-5 before Alex Horton’s 85 and Van der Gugten’s 118 not out revived the chase; they finished on 309-7, with Mackenzie Jones conceding only two runs in the final over and Shane Snater taking 3-49.