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Round-Up: Somerset kept in check by Rudolph

Colin Crompton
Saturday 07 June 2008 00:00 BST
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(GETTY IMAGES)

Jacques Rudolph hit a century to put County Championship First Division leaders Somerset on the back foot against Yorkshire at Taunton. The former South Africa Test batsman was the star of the opening day with an innings of 155 before he became one of three victims for spinner Ian Blackwell.

Rudolph carved out century stands with Andrew Gale (61) and Gerard Brophy (70) to guide the visitors to 315 for 3. But three late wickets helped Somerset limit Yorkshire to 339 for 6 at the close.

Four half-centuries enabled Lancashire to frustrate second-placed Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford. A century stand between Iain Sutcliffe and Paul Horton got the hosts off to the perfect start but Sutcliffe's run-out for 50 with the score on 109 sparked a mini-collapse. Horton (64) and Mal Loye then fell in the same over, the latter to Charlie Shreck, who also removed Lou Vincent for five to leave Lancashire on 131 for 4.

But Francois de Plessis and Steven Croft wrestled back control with a stand of 84 before the former was snared by Graeme Swann for 55 as Lancashire closed on 260 for 5. Croft will resume tomorrow on 60 with Luke Sutton 15 not out.

Twelve wickets fell at Chester-le-Street as Durham bowled out Hampshire for 239 before closing on 59 for 2. Callum Thorp was the star of the show with the ball as he claimed five for 64 with the Harmison brothers Ben and Steve collecting the other five – Ben taking the family honours with three for 25. The opener Michael Carberry held the visitors' innings together with 78 while Sean Ervine also scored a half-century.

Hampshire claimed two scalps in the 20 overs faced by Durham, Mark Stoneman and Will Smith falling cheaply, but dangerman Michael Di Venuto is unbeaten on 35.

There was no play in the First Division match at Canterbury between Kent and champions Sussex because of rain.

Opener Ian Westwood hit an unbeaten century as Warwickshire boosted their chances of topping the Second Division table by reaching 278 for 4 against Glamorgan at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. Westwood dominated with a Championship-best knock of 139 while wicketkeeper Tony Frost will resume on 42 not out. Alex Wharf was the pick of the bowlers for the Welsh county with two for 69.

Derbyshire skittled Worcestershire for 151 before bad light brought an early end to play at Chesterfield. Graham Wagg and Charl Langeveldt both took four wickets while the visitors' best partnership of the day was 50 for the last wicket between Steve Magoffin (33) and Simon Jones.

Essex were another side that did not enjoy their day with the bat as they were bowled out for 161 by Middlesex at Lord's. Tim Murtagh did most of the damage with six for 44 while Gareth Berg took three wickets. England all-rounder Ravi Bopara top-scored for Essex with 43. The hosts closed on 75 for 1, Ed Smith the man out for 37.

Bad light held up Gloucestershire's Marcus North as he moved within sight of a century against Northamptonshire. The hosts were on top when they reduced Gloucestershire to 77 for three but a 151-partnership between North and Alex Gidman (68) turned things around. North will resume on 84.

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