County Championship: Paul Collingwood puts Durham on top

Collingwood's century was his third in first-class matches at Taunton

Paul Collingwood followed his five wickets on the opening day with an unbeaten century as Durham gained the upper hand against Somerset at Taunton.

The Durham skipper, dropped on 46, hit two sixes and 11 fours in an unbeaten 109, before they were all out for 380.

Scott Borthwick earlier made 94, while Lewis Gregory bowled well for Somerset, finishing with figures of 5-99.

Starting their second innings 81 runs behind, the home side slumped to 54-4 at stumps as Chris Rushworth took 3-18.

Having begun the day on 98-2, Durham progressed steadily despite the best efforts of Gregory and the lively Jamie Overton, who foiled Borthwick's hopes of a hundred by winning an lbw decision as he shaped to play the ball into the leg side in the 42nd over.

Paul Coughlin (18) helped Collingwood add 67 for the seventh wicket either side of tea and the former England all-rounder, who had been dropped by wicketkeeper Alex Barrow off Gregory, had enough time to bring up the 30th first-class century of his career - and 20th for Durham - before running out of partners.

The fielding highlight was provided by James Hildreth, who took a superb diving catch in the gully as Rushworth became Gregory's fifth victim.

However, Rushworth undermined Somerset's second innings by bowling Marcus Trescothick for a duck, offering no stroke, and having first-innings centurion Johann Myburgh leg-before for nine.

Tom Cooper and Hildreth also departed inside the first 10 overs, but Barrow (28 not out) saw them to the close.

Somerset seam bowler Lewis Gregory:

"It's a great cricket wicket on which the bowlers get rewards for putting the ball in the right place.

"Unfortunately, we dropped a world-class player in Paul Collingwood and, while you can't expect every catch to be held, we couldn't afford to make that sort of mistake.

"Now we have to grit it out tomorrow and try to bat for as long as possible.

"There are a few barren areas on the pitch, which could suit Abdur Rehman in the final innings if we can get a big enough lead."

Durham captain Paul Collingwood:

"It was a great day for us. Scott Borthwick set it up and I'm just delighted to be in such good form so early in the season.

"When they get things right, Chris Rushworth and Graham Onions are among the best opening bowlers in the country.

"But we know Taunton is a ground where runs can come quickly and we still have a lot of work to do."