TOM Abell struck his second first-class century and Peter Trego a typically combative 94 but Somerset failed to exploit good batting conditions on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

An uneven batting effort from the visitors ended on 295, far fewer than they had in mind when choosing to bat on a firm pitch, with Abell hitting 104 and Trego supporting him from number six.

But eight batsmen failed to reach 15 against an attack which, led by Keith Barker (three for 54) and Chris Woakes (three for 65) persevered to keep pressure on all day.

Somerset's bowlers then applied pressure of their own, reducing Warwickshire to 27 for two at the close of a captivating day's cricket in front of a very good-sized crowd in Birmingham.

Warwickshire captain Ian Bell, who left the field in mid-afternoon with a hamstring twinge, is expected to be fine to bat.

Having lost the toss, the home side were delighted to remove powerhouses Marcus Trescothick and Chris Rogers in the first hour. Between them the veterans had visited the crease 1,300 times before in first-class cricket but they were soon back in the hutch after Barker hit Trescothick's off-stump and had Rogers caught behind.

Abell and James Hildreth steadied the innings with a partnership of 56 in 12 overs before the latter was superbly caught by Sam Hain at short-leg off Boyd Rankin for 38.

When Jim Allenby slashed Barker to gully, Somerset were wobbling at 117 for four but Trego dug in to help add 110 for the fifth wicket.

Abell reached his century with an all-run four in the last over before tea as Somerset recovered to 210 for four at the second interval. But the opener's departure soon afterwards triggered the loss of four wickets for 38 runs in 10 overs.

The 22-year-old fell lbw to a good ball from Jonathan Trott, Lewis Gregory had his middle stump uprooted by Woakes, Ryan Davies edged Rankin to second slip and Craig Overton clipped Trott to short midwicket.

Trego sought to accelerate to his century but was trapped lbw by Woakes, who had Jack Leach pouched at first slip next ball.

Somerset had come in below par with the bat but came out firing with the ball as Ian Westwood fell lbw to Gregory and nightwatchman Rankin was brilliantly caught by Hildreth at leg gully off Craig Overton.