Somerset's fortunes in the Division One match against champions Durham at Taunton had not improved by tea.

Having put the visitors in to bat on a green pitch, Durham were 228-3.

A total of five catches had been put down during the day which, if taken, would have put Justin Langer's side in a strong position.

The first wicket to fall saw Michael Di Venuto (53) edge Charl Willoughby into the slips. Justin Langer parried the ball up and Marcus Trescothick, at second slip, held the catch.

Debutant David Stiff bowled far too many balls down the leg side in his four pre-lunch overs but all the bowlers were guilty of sending down some unacceptable fare.

After lunch Will Smith, who had been dropped before the interval by Arul Suppiah at point, was spilled by Marcus Trescothick at second slip off Alfonso Thomas on seven.

However, two balls later, the same batsman was leg before wicket to a nip-backer from Thomas.

And with the score still 119-3, opener Mark Stonemen edged a lifter from Stiff to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter for 38.

Gordon Muchall was repreived on nought by Kieswetter, who missed a simple chance off Alfonso Thomas.

And Dale Benkenstein was then put down by Trescothick, again at second slip, off Willoughby on six and then handed a further life when he nicked a hard chance off Omari Banks which bounced back off Kieswetter when on 19.

Muchall was on 49 and Benkenstein on 47 when their 109-run stand was interrupted by the interval.