Jimmy Maher scored his third century of the summer to put Glamorgan right back into their CricInfo Championship Division One clash with Essex at Sophia Gardens.

The Queenslander reached his 100 off 157 balls with 14 fours as he guided the home county to 188-2 at the close of the second day - 139 behind Essex's first innings of 327 all out.

Glamorgan created a good platform to their reply, with Maher and Ian Thomas putting on 63 for the first wicket before Thomas was caught at second slip off Mark Ilott.

Matthew Maynard looked in good form until he edged Justin Bishop behind to leave Glamorgan 94-2.

But Maher continued Glamorgan's charge with Mike Powell, who got into his stride after a quiet start and the third-wicket pair doubled the score before the close. Essex had few answers to Glamorgan's batting, using seven bowlers in the first 51 overs.

Earlier Steve Watkin recorded season-best figures of 6-67 to take the last three Essex wickets.

But it took the second new ball for Watkin to dislodge Essex's tail after they resumed on 242-7 75 minutes later than scheduled because of early morning rain.

The mainstay of Essex's late order batting was Ashley Cowan who scored his first half-century of the season.

Cowan was eventually out, bowled by Watkin, ending an innings that lasted 108 balls with eight fours, ending an 86-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Mark Ilott in 35 overs.

Watkin continued his mopping up operation to dismiss both Ilott and Justin Bishop in consecutive overs.

© CricInfo Ltd.