A vintage display of batting by Matthew Maynard saw Glamorgan to a thrilling two wicket victory over Gloucestershire at Cheltenham and a place in the cricket record books.

Maynard, who compiled a cultured 140 in the first innings, hit an unbeaten 118 with 10 fours and 3 sixes from 104 balls as Glamorgan successfully chased a target of 317 in 75 overs, with the 36 year old guiding his side home with a memorable display of strokeplay.

When Glamorgan last visited the College ground in 1991, Maynard hit 129 and 126 in the draw against Gloucestershire, so his 118* today was his fourth century in successive innings at the Cheltenham ground. No other batsman in the history of the game has ever achieved the feat of a century in each innings of a match twice at the historic Cheltenham Festival. This was also his 9th hundred against Gloucestershire, and no current batsman has scored more centuries against the West Country side.

Despite the flurry of wickets around him, Maynard remained calm and in supreme control, despatching the Gloucestershire spinners for a flurry of crisply struck boundaries. He also reached his record-breaking century in the grand manner, with a huge six over deep mid-wicket and into one of the gaily decorated tents that lined the boundary at the College ground – evoking memories of his debut hundred against Yorkshire back in 1985 at Swansea when he reached his century with three successive sixes off the bowling of the late Phil Carrick.

It was also the 50th first-class century of Maynard`s career, and when he reached 88 he also passed 20,000 first-class runs for the Welsh county. Only Alan Jones (34, 056 runs) , Emrys Davies (26, 102) and Gilbert Parkhouse (22, 619) had previously reached this landmark for Glamorgan.

Thanks to Maynard`s wonderful batting, Glamorgan recorded their first win at Cheltenham since 1970. Their victory came with 16 balls remaining as Simon Jones, who had earlier taken four wickets in Gloucestershire`s second innings, smashed successive deliveries from Ian Fisher for 4 and 6 high over long-on to secure a well-deserved victory.

© Glamorgan CCC/CricInfo