Wood gives Somerset the scent of survival

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Somerset helped to move Surrey a step closer to the County Championship with a fine opening-day display yesterday against another title challenger, Kent.

Matthew Wood lead Somerset's assault with a career-best 196 after sharing a first-innings partnership of 150 with Jamie Cox (62) at Taunton. Somerset, who were seeking maximum batting points to aid their battle against relegation, then saw Keith Parsons add 68 as Kent's bowlers struggled to contain them. Martin Saggers had the best figures, and they were 2 for 77 from his 19 overs, as the home side finished the day on a daunting 433 for 5.

Middlesex, the Second Division leaders, faltered after an excellent opening partnerhip of 108 between Ben Hutton (85) and Sven Koenig (26) but at 283 for 7 at the close at Chelmsford they still had a slight advantage over Essex despite a midle-order collapse.

Ronnie Irani, released from England's squad to face India earlier, trapped Owais Shah lbw for 47. James Middlebrook and Joe Grant took two wickets apiece before Middlesex steadied the ship.

The Gloucestershire opener Tim Hancock made 54 to help his side to score 192 against Derbyshire at Bristol on a day when 16 wickets fell.

The medium-pacer Graeme Welch returned impressive figures of 6 for 60, but in response the Gloucestershire bowlers also made good use of the movement available and in turn induced some poor shots from the Derbyshire batsmen. Mike Smith claimed 3 for 49 as the visitors struggled to put together any partnership of note, reaching 153 for 6 at close.