GLAMORGAN suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Kent in the LV= County Championship yesterday but the cloud does have a silver lining, writes Chris Kirwan.

The visitors eased to a comfortable success at the Swalec Stadium yesterday, completing their victory inside three days.

While Glamorgan won't have been happy to suffer a sixth loss of their Division Two campaign, it does allow them an extra day to prepare for their biggest game in recent years.

Matthew Mott's side take on Hampshire in the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Bank 40 tomorrow afternoon (12.45pm start) – their first knockout game since 2008 and their first last-four encounter since 2004.

And success at the Rose Bowl would secure a Glamorgan final at the home of cricket for the first time since 2000, a huge incentive for wicket-keeper Mark Wallace.

"I'm really excited that we've got through to the semi-finals and are another step closer to Lord's," said Wallace, who will lead the side Marcus North's early return to Australia.

"It's been a long time since Glamorgan made it this far in this format of the game and all the boys are absolutely buzzing, but we're still not where we want to be yet - the final is always the goal."

Hampshire, who are hot favourites for tomorrow's game, take to the field for day four of their game against Northamptonshire in Southampton today.

Glamorgan can put their feet up after being beaten by Kent in the capital.

The hosts, who rested key all-rounder Graham Wagg ahead of the YB40 semi, started day three 220 runs ahead with three wickets remaining.

They could only add 21 more runs with Dean Cosker (14), Michael Hogan (0) and Mike Reed (3) dismissed and Ruaidhri unbeaten on 37.

Kent reached their target of 242 with surprising ease with Sam Northeast topscoring with 88 and Brendan Nash unbeaten on 70.

There was some cause for celebration, however, with left-arm spinner Cosker taking his 500th first-class wicket for Glamorgan when he bowled Northeast.