Bob Willis Trophy: Warwickshire close on 104-6 as Somerset's victory push is denied by Birmingham weather

Jamie Overton improved his career-best for the second successive knock, following his second-innings 68 in last week's win over Northants

Somerset tailender Jamie Overton hit an explosive maiden century at Edgbaston before the weather denied Somerset's hopes of victory inside three days.

Overton smashed 15 fours and six sixes in his 120 off 92 balls in a 180-run ninth-wicket stand with Steven Davies (123*) as Somerset declared on 413-9.

After earning a first-innings lead of 292, they had the brittle Bears in disarray at 104-6 second time around.

But bad light and rain then lopped off the last 20 overs of the day.

• Relive Monday's action in the Bob Willis Trophy

After resuming on 214-6, Somerset soon lost Lewis Gregory, who skied Tim Bresnan to mid-off, and Roelof ven der Merwe, who edged Olly Hannon-Dalby behind. But Davies and Overton then transformed the game in the space of 29 overs.

Davies completed his 25th first-class century - a third at Edgbaston for the former Worcestershire, Surrey and England one-day international, while Overton's maiden ton came in his 98th first class innings before finally falling to the admirably persevering Bresnan - before Somerset declared 16 balls later.

Without the injured Olly Stone and Liam Norwell, and with Chris Woakes on England duty, the Bears attack was exposed but former Yorkshire pair Bresnan and Hannon-Dalby shared eight wickets between them.

Requiring 292 to avoid an innings defeat, Warwickshire started badly when Rob Yates was bowled, having left a straight ball from Jack Davey.

Sam Hain and Ian Bell then both maintained their run of low scores before Michael Burgess and Bresnan perished to successive balls from Jack Davey after tea.

Captain Will Rhodes showed some defiance but, having watched five partners depart, he tried to pull Lewis Gregory and fired back a return catch. And, with Matt Lamb in severe discomfort from a cracked big toe and unlikely to bat, Central Group leaders Somerset should seal a third straight Bob Willis Trophy victory on day four.

Bears captain Will Rhodes told BBC Radio WM:

"We knew what approach their tail would take and it came off for them. It's never nice to be on the receiving end but credit to Jamie Overton, he struck it cleanly. He came out and swung from ball one like Liam Norwell did for us against Morne Morkel last year. We were singing Liam's praises, so fair play to Jamie - sometimes you have just got to give credit to the batters.

"We have not had the rub of the green at times but in difficult situations we have not been good enough. A couple of decisions haven't gone our way but we have got to be better in all aspects.

"That is the third 40 I've got in five innings and it was disappointing to again get through the hard stuff but then not go on, especially getting out just a couple of balls before the rain came.

"Matt Lamb wants to bat. We all know what Lamby's attitude is and I'm sure he'll try to strap the pads on and hobble out there if he can, but we'll have to see."

Somerset all-rounder Jamie Overton:

"It was good fun. I have spent quite a lot of time with Steve Davies so it was nice for him to be out there when I got my first century. I have felt good in the last couple of weeks.

"I got my previous career-best last week against Northants and have found a method that is working for me at the moment and I am sticking with it. I'm riding my luck at times but I think you need a bit of luck now and then.

"It was good to put on that partnership and get some batting points because we haven't got all the batting points we would have liked from the first two games. We wanted a good lead, knowing the batting that Warwickshire have got, so we wanted to bat them out of the game completely.

"The weather has not been great but hopefully we have still got 90 overs if the weather is clear so we have plenty of time to bowl them out. It was amazing to get six wickets. We pride ourselves on our bowling. We feel like we can bowl most sides out. Whatever time we get we'll feel confident we can get the wickets."

Match report supplied by PA Media.