Specsavers County Championship Day 1: Somerset 324-9 v Worcestershire STEVE Davies top scored against his former county as Somerset twice fought back from testing situations on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship Division 1 clash away to bottom side Worcestershire.

The wicketkeeper-batsman hit a fluent 72, and there were also half-centuries from Tom Abell and James Hildreth, as Somerset recovered from 11-2 and then 115-4 to reach 324-9 from 96 overs by the close.

Home captain Brett D’Oliveira opted to put the visitors into bat after winning the toss, and the new ball attack of Steve Magoffin and Luke Wood made a double breakthrough.

Magoffin accounted for Eddie Byrom (5), who was caught behind by Alex Milton, and in the next over Wood trapped Marcus Trescothick (6) lbw.

New Somerset man Azhar Ali and James Hildreth were initially watchful but then flourished during a third-wicket stand of 99 in 28 overs.

Hildreth, a century-maker at Taunton in the early season fixture between the sides, was the dominant partner and reached a 99-ball half-century.

But then the game edged back in Worcestershire's favour with two wickets for Dillon Pennington, as Ali (37) nicked through to Milton and then Hildreth (57) was bowled at 115-4.

A second Somerset period of recovery was instigated by Abell and Davies during a partnership of 126 in 33 overs.

Abell survived a dropped catch from Joe Clarke when on 25, while Davies straight drove Moeen Ali for six and was first to his half-century, from 72 balls with eight 4s.

Abell then followed his team-mate to fifty, from 107 balls.

England spinner Ali broke the partnership when Davies (72) played back and nicked to Milton, and Peter Trego (1) fell to the same bowler, trapped lbw.

Magoffin then removed Abell for 70, from 151 balls with 13 fours, again lbw.

But then the Overton brothers, Craig (31) and Jamie (28), plundered 51 in eight overs before falling to Moeen Ali and Ed Barnard, respectively.