County Championship: Graham Napier takes five wickets for Essex in Cardiff

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier took the 15th 'five-for' of his first-class career

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier led the way with 5-82 as Glamorgan were dismissed for a below-par 260.

The Division Two leaders' seam attack claimed six wickets in a productive afternoon session in Cardiff.

Chris Cooke top-scored with a composed 63, while an eighth-wicket stand of 79 between Craig Meschede (33) and Andrew Salter (45 not out) provided some respectability for the hosts.

Essex then reached 29 for the loss of Nick Browne in the last hour.

Browne, who made 255 against Derbyshire in Essex's previous match, was passed fit to play despite not being named in their original squad, with a groin strain.

Napier, 36, is to retire to take up a teaching career at the end of the season, and recorded the 15th five-wicket haul of his first-class career.

Meanwhile, Glamorgan's South Africa international Colin Ingram hopes to make his comeback from a knee injury, in a Second XI fixture away to Essex this week.

Glamorgan batsman Chris Cooke told BBC Wales Sport:

"It's pretty even at the moment. Maybe with two or three wickets we would have been in control but there's a bit in the wicket for bat and ball. We were 50 runs short of a par score on that wicket.

"I felt all right but it's extra annoying to get out then. There's always a second innings. It's quite hard when you come in, to get the pace of the wicket.

"That is why there were a few quick wickets but the same thing can happen now with Essex and you can get on a roll out there."

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier told BBC Essex:

"The wicket's played a lot better than it looked initially. It had a large hint of green but, as the day's gone on, it's played pretty well.

"We're going to have to try to dig in and post the highest total we can. There's a bit in it for the bowlers but, with the weather about, it's what can be expected for the time of year.

"It's definite I'm retiring, I'm just enjoying my cricket and chucking everything into every game. I'm waking up and taking a lot longer to get going these days!"