A SEVERELY depleted bowling attack was the least of Derbyshire's problems in their latest Pro40 League failure last night at Cardiff.

The Phantoms were beaten by 50 runs by Glamorgan because their batting once again failed to rise to the challenge of chasing a target.

Since the false dawn of their victory in the opening game of this competition, when Derbyshire did chase effectively at Northampton, they have batted second in five of their other six matches and have only the tie against Yorkshire to show for their efforts.

Mind you, their one attempt at batting first was not exactly a roaring success either – the unforgettable 60 all out at Canterbury.

The Phantoms were completely flummoxed by testing batting conditions under the lights at Sophia Gardens as the Glamorgan bowlers squeezed and finally suffocated their attempts to overcome the home side's 205-8.

Perhaps not surprisingly, considering that much of South Wales was under water a couple of days ago, there was more than a touch of dampness around and the longer the game went on, the more excessive the amount of movement off the pitch.

Glamorgan bowled with great discipline to make the Derbyshire batsmen look foolish time and again with nibbling seamers and plenty of turn for the spinners.

The Phantoms prodded uncertainly to 80-6 in the 27th over and were finally left well short at 155-8. At times, it was painful to watch.

Wavell Hinds, raised on much different wickets in the Caribbean, took 16 balls to make his two runs but a more successful exhibition of battling play came from Dan Redfern, as the 18-year-old made 28 off 55 balls in what was becoming an increasingly hopeless cause.

It was left to John Sadler and Ross Whiteley to put together the Phantoms' best partnership as they added 54 for the seventh wicket.

Whiteley, a product of the Derbyshire academy who will be 20 on Saturday, was making his senior debut and though he will not look back with great affection on his two overs for 12 with the ball, his batting made sure the video of the game at the family home will not be taped over just yet.

He finished with 24 off 24 balls, which included a beautifully clean strike for six over long off to put a blot on Dean Cosker's figures.

Cosker, however, more than made amends with a diving one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss Greg Smith, which will rate as one of the best catches of the season.

Whiteley played because Tom Lungley dropped out just before the start of the match through injury.

That left the bowling attack without Lungley, Charl Langeveldt, Graham Wagg and Jon Clare, who are all feeling the effects of a long season.

But Wayne White made the most of his opportunity to take three quick wickets which had the Dragons in early trouble at 36-4.

Ian Hunter also did a good job and Glamorgan's decision to bat first after winning the toss looked a dubious one at that stage.

They were hauled back to a decent score by a stand of 60 in 15 overs for the fifth wicket between Jamie Dalrymple and Ben Wright.

Dalrymple went on to make 54 and Mark Wallace gave the innings late impetus with 58 off 47 balls.

Glamorgan, who needed the win to stay in with a chance of clinching the Division Two play-off place at least, had a total to defend and their bowlers rose to the task terrifically well.

Alas, the same could not be said for the Derbyshire batsmen.