County Championship - day two (close)

Somerset 202 & 255-9 lead Worcestershire 179 by 278 runs

JAMES Hildreth struck a century as Somerset edged into a valuable lead against Worcestershire on day two at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

The first session was wiped out by persistent drizzle and bad light but, after an early lunch, Somerset picked up the two quick wickets they needed as Worcesteshire added just 26 runs to their overnight score of 153-8.

Lewis Gregory (4-51) and Craig Overton (2-53) picked up the wickets to fall - the latter comprehensivly bowling top scorer Ed Barnard (50) - as Somerset gained a first innings lead of 23 runs.

As they had on day one, however, the hosts lost early wickets. Eddie Byrom was first to go, edging Joe Leach to Tom Fell without scoring, and first innings centurion Matt Renshaw (7) then departed in identical fashion as the same duo combined for the visitors.

Hildreth joined Marcus Trescothick and the experienecd duo set about repairing the damage from 11-2, adding 64 useful runs for the third wicket before the latter wafted outside the off stump and was caught behind for 43.

Tom Abell looked in good touch but, after Hildreth had reached his half-century from 85 balls, the captain nicked to first slip and departed for 27.

That set about a mini-collapse as Steve Davies (5) and Lewis Gregory (0) completed disappointing displays with the bat and Somerset, from looking well set at 145-3, were suddenly looking shaky on 153-6.

Craig Overton counter-attacked well, striking three fours and an imperious six over long-on, but he fell for 22 and Jack Leach followed for 11 - to the bowling of Barnard (5-37), who completed his 10-wicket haul for the match - with Hildreth on 99 not out.

Tim Groenewald dug in to see the 33-year-old reach his landmark, with Hildreth's 42nd First Class century coming from 153 balls and including 15 fours.

The final pair will resume in the morning looking to nudge Somerset's lead past 300, which would be a significant psychological boost on a wicket which has proved testing for batsmen throughout.