Torrential rain, not to mention a crucial ninth wicket stand between Jim Allenby, who struck an unbeaten 65, and Dean Cosker stalled Surrey's progress on day three of Glamorgan's visit to the Brit Oval, which ended with the Welshmen 273-9.

When the heavens opened shortly before two o'clock, Glamorgan had just scraped past the follow-on target of 231. That Surrey even entertained the prospect of enforcing the follow-on was due to a superb exhibition of seam bowling from Stuart Meaker, who ended the day with 5-97, and Chris Tremlett, who chipped in with 3-53.

Although the ground was bathed in sunshine after the rain relented, it was not possible resume until 5.00pm. When play did get underway once again Allenby brought up his fifty in 80 deliveries and, in alliance with Huw Waters, safely negotiated the remaining twenty overs, trimming Surrey's lead to 107 in the process.

Earlier, Tremlett picked up the wicket of Ben Wright with his first delivery, caught at third slip. Seven overs later, Meaker accounted for Jamie Dalrymple, who provided Gareth Batty with the first of three catches.

But then Tom Maynard and Jim Allenby put the home side on the back foot with an intelligent fifth wicket stand that harvested 87 in 20 overs.

Maynard, playing adeptly square of the wicket, hit a 79-ball half-century - his third championship fifty in six innings - which included nine fours. But having been 184-4 with five minutes to go before lunch, Glamorgan went into the break six men down.

Maynard, throwing the kitchen sink at Meaker, was caught at first slip for 61. Five balls later, Chris Schofield got one to skid on to leave Mark Wallace's middle stump lying on the ground.

Glamorgan's ill fortune continued after the break when James Harris was adjudged leg before. When Meaker had Robert Croft caught down the leg-side, to record his second five-wicket haul of the season, the visitors looked destined to follow-on.

But thanks to a belligerent ninth wicket alliance between Allenby and Cosker, Surrey's hopes of sticking the visitors in again were thwarted.

The follow-on was averted when, in the 60th over, Jason Roy got both hands to what would have been a superb catch at point, which enabled Cosker to steal a quick single off Meaker. Cosker departed in the very next over, but having achieved his primary objective.

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