The opening day of the Colchester Festival proved difficult for Essex who lost the toss and then saw opponents Glamorgan reach 242-3 with Stewart Walters hitting an unbeaten century.
Rain brought a premature close to proceedings after tea but by that time, he had taken 129 off a toothless attack badly missing their spearhead and paceman David Masters.
On a good batting track, Glamorgan capitalised after winning the toss although Maurice Chambers did strike an early blow when he had Nick James snapped up at forward short leg by Jaik Mickleburgh but after that, bat dominated the ball.
That was the only wicket to fall in the morning session as Walters and Will Bragg comfortably moved the score along matching pace with a series of well-timed strokes either side of the wicket.
Bragg reached his half-century from 94 balls with his ninth boundary – a flowing drive through extra cover against Chambers – while Walters reached his fifty from 72 balls by straight driving Charl Willoughby to the fence in the next over.
The pair had put together a stand of 107 in 28 overs to carry the total to 133 before they were separated when Graham Napier breached Bragg’s defences when the opener played a ball into his stumps after making 54.
Walters, however, continued on his impressive way, wasting no opportunity to cut and drive as he moved into three figures with his fifteenth boundary, a leg side shot at the expense of Ryan ten Doeschate. The century spanned 140 deliveries and was his highest score since his 69 against Essex at Cardiff early in May.
Marcus North soon settled to form a productive liaison although he was content to watch Walters do the bulk of the scoring. His contribution to a 103 stand in 25 overs was just 24 when he sliced Napier to Harbhajan Singh in the gully but the fielder spilled the chance.
However, there was immediate consolation for the bowler and relief for the fielder when Harbhajan took a catch in the same position two deliveries later.
Then, to the relief of the home side, rain arrived to end play for the day leaving Walters with 20 boundaries in an innings that has so far spanned 179 balls.
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