Two of Somerset's less celebrated stars came to the fore on the second day of their Championship match with Durham at the Riverside.

Charl Willoughby took his second five-wicket haul of the season to bowl Durham out for 272 before Arul Suppiah went past 1,000 Championship runs in a year for the first time ever.

Durham owed everything to West Indies star Shivnarine Chanderpaul for his 117 not out to earn their 98-run first innings lead following Somerset's first day 174.

In reply the visitors were 41-0 in their second innings before bad light ended play 24.1 overs early.

Willoughby had claimed two day one wickets before Durham resumed on 110-3 and three more took him to 47 Division One scalps for the campaign.

The South African left-armer could rival Marcus Trescothick for the title of Somerset's most consistent performer.

Bearing in mind he bowls on the unresponsive Taunton pitches half of the time, his average of 28.14 runs per wicket is mightily impressive.

Apart from his batting, Suppiah's other great strength is his fielding and he snaffled a cut from Dale Benkenstein (30) at gully off Zander de Bruyn to give Somerset their breakthrough.

Director of cricket Brian Rose said: "Arul's success is down to the two Cs - consistency and confidence. We have kept drilling into him that it is all well and good getting to 50 but you have to get 100 and started to prove that, especially in the four-day game

"Arul also brings a lot to the fielding. Over the last few years we have taken the field with what could be described as a Dad's Army. But this year we have looked a much better unit with people like Arul in the side."

The recalled Ben Phillips grabbed two quick pre-lunch wickets when he got one to bounce a bit to Ian Blackwell, who edged behind for a duck before Phil Mustard nicked one slanted across him to Justin Langer at first slip for two.

Liam Plunkett and the indefatigable Chanderpaul added 69 for the seventh wicket to take Durham past Somerset's score before the former played down the wrong line to Willoughby and was bowled for 32.

Callum Thorp (15) edged to James Hildreth at third slip and Graham Onions nicked behind later in the over for a duck.

A fourth catch of the innings for wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter gave Pete Trego a deserved wicket when Steve Harmison got a regulation edge to an away swinger to become the fourth home batsman to fail to score - matching Somerset's total on day one.

When Somerset batted again, Suppiah eased four boundaries - the last of which was a trademark backfoot cover drive off Harmison to reach four figures.

The stroke - which took Suppiah to 20 - brought delighted applause from team-mates and the contingent of travelling fans.

One national newspaper recently advised the England selectors to consider the Malaysia-born opener for a winter tour. Suppiah has had a fine season but the fact he still does not have a UK passport will probably count against him.

For a full report pick up the next copy of the Western Daily Press or Bristol Evening Post.