Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh both hit excellent centuries but it was not enough as Northamptonshire Steelbacks slipped to a five-wicket defeat at Sophia Gardens against Glamorgan.

A career List A best from Sam Whiteman meant Northamptonshire had been able to set an imposing total of 340/5 from their 50 overs but Glamorgan finished on 343 for 5, chasing the target with 14 balls to spare.

Both sides came into the game knowing their were fighting for mid table places, finishing fourth just below the play off spots is the best they can do.

The Steelbacks won the toss and chose to bat first, with openers Ricardo Vasconcelos and Sam Whiteman quickly justifying the decision.

The half century came up in eight overs, and the pair had put on 141 for the opening partnership when Whiteman fell to a super catch from Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson at extra cover off the spin of Ben Kellaway for 88 from just 75 balls.

Vasconcelos was the bedrock on which they were able to build the innings, scoring at just under a run a ball, but his presence gave Rob Keogh the green light to attack from the off.

Both batsmen would get centuries in a partnership of 117, Vasconcelos getting 106 before being bowled by Smith while Keogh smashed 100 exactly, off 75 balls, before being well caught on the boundary by Billy Root from the bowling of Sam Gorvi.

All the Glamorgan bowlers went for more than a run a ball in a performance which lacked bite. Gorvin finished with two wickets in his final over, while Jamie McIlroy was the pick of the bowlers until he too took some punishment at the end.

Glamorgan’s openers Eddie Byrom and Sam Northeast started watchfully until Northeast exploded into action with a six and three fours in four balls from Tom Taylor.

The Welsh County pair brought up their half century partnership after just seven overs, with the 100 coming up in the 12th over as Byrom took the initiative.

The pair reached their half centuries within a couple of balls of each other, Byrom getting there first. It took a diving, one-handed catch by keeper Lewis McManus to see the end of Byrom, trying to steer a short delivery from James Sales.

Colin Ingram arrived at the wicket in belligerent mood and after 20 overs Glamorgan has reached 157 for 1, which would be a respectable T20 score.

Ingram brought up his half century and the 200 for his team with the same shot in the 28th over, off just 43 balls. Northeast moved serenely onto three figures, taking just 104 balls, but next ball he was clean bowled by an inswinging full delivery from Jack White.

Ingram looked in control so it came as a surprise when he skied a leading edge to be caught and bowler by Tom Taylor for 69. Worse was to follow with Kiran Carlson caught on the boundary for 28, also off Taylor.

Ben Kellaway went cheaply to the leg spin of Alex Russell, but Billy Root and Alex Horton kept the Glamorgan hopes alive. Horton made a real impact as he found the boundary regularly, while Root provided the calm head to get the job done.