NATIONAL League champions Glamorgan returned to winning ways at Sophia Gardens yesterday, when they put Warwickshire to the sword after a long, lean spell.

Having lost five of their previous six matches, the Welsh county were desperate for a victory and they got it quite convincingly by seven wickets.

Right-arm medium pace bowler Adrian Dale, and Dean Cosker, a specialist with left-arm leg breaks, did much of the damage when taking three wickets each.

Trevor Penney was the only Warwickshire player to really shine in Cardiff.

The Bears won the toss and decided to bat, but were soon in trouble, losing two wickets with only 21 runs on the board. In the end, they managed just 196, with Penney contributing an unbeaten 64.

Dale had the finest figures, taking three for 16 in just 3.5 overs, while Cosker captured three for 44.

Glamorgan captain Robert Croft yet again led by example, and he scored a fine 70 before being clean-bowled by Ian Bell. Both former skipper Matthew Maynard and 22-year-old David Hemp played key roles in the Dragons' innings.

Maynard produced some fine strokes and hit an undefeated 47, while Hemp finished 41 not out.

Andrew Davies returned to the Glamorgan line-up after almost two months on the sidelines with a broken thumb.

And he made an impact, grabbing a wicket and taking a catch, while Mark Wallace was sharp behind the stumps taking three catches, including getting the dangerous Nick Knight out for 27.

Glamorgan reached their target with 25 balls remaining and seven wickets still in hand.