JASON Lewry bagged his third five-wicket haul of the season as Sussex moved firmly into the driving seat at the end of the third day against Glamorgan at Swansea in Division One of the Frizzell County Championship.

Though 132 overs were lost to rain on the first two days Sussex will still have hopes of sealing victory today.

Glamorgan will resume their first innings on 289 for seven needing a further 59 to avoid the follow-on after Sussex declared their first innings on 497 for seven - their best score in Wales.

Not even a sparkling century from David Hemp, (pictured) from only 95 balls, could stop Glamorgan's first innings slide from 209 for two to 270 for seven - leaving the Welshmen in danger of recording a sixth straight championship defeat.

Replying to Sussex's challenging first innings Glamorgan were soon 37 for two having lost opener Dan Cherry and Michael Powell to Lewry and James Kirtley respectively.

There then followed Glamorgan's best partnership of the season of 172 in only 31 overs between Hemp and Matthew Elliott.

And while the third-wicket pair were blazing the ball to all parts Glamorgan gave themselves half a chance of saving the follow-on.

But once Elliott padded up to Lewry it opened the door for Sussex, especially when Glamorgan's new overseas recruit Sourav Ganguly was bowled by Lewry for a third ball duck.

Lewry completed his five-wicket set by trapping Mark Wallace in front and then having Robert Croft caught at first slip, leaving home hopes with Hemp, who finished 125 not out.

Sussex had resumed the day on 225 for two looking for a declaration in excess of 400.

But even Sussex could not have dreamed they would score another 272 and be able to declare 45 minutes after lunch with plenty of time still to bowl Glamorgan out twice.

The mainstay of Sussex's innings were centuries for both Richard Montgomerie, who batted throughout the innings in a vigil 12 minutes short of eight hours, and the more animated Murray Goodwin.

Montgomerie had a 58-run start on his county colleague but the former Zimbabwe international still beat him to three figures.

Goodwin's century came in 136 balls with 12 fours, while Montgomerie took 256 balls and struck only nine boundaries.

Montgomerie went on to score 184, the best score by a Sussex batsmen in Wales, before Chris Adams eventually declared to leave Glamorgan needing 348 to avoid the follow-on.