Thursday 19 March 2015 13:43, UK
James Hildreth and Nick Compton eased Somerset towards safety with an unbroken 172-run stand on the second day against Nottinghamshire.
The duo came together with Somerset in trouble at 11-2, but defied Nottinghamshire's bowlers for the second successive year at Trent Bridge to ease their side to 183-2 when bad light prematurely ended an already-abridged day.
Hildreth hit an undefeated 102, whilst Compton, omitted from England's Ashes party earlier this week, showed his class with a stylish 62 not out.
Nottinghamshire still held an overall lead of 223, having advanced their first innings score to 406 earlier in the day.
With the floodlights burning brightly against the slate grey sky, Marcus Trescothick failed again when Somerset's innings began.
The 37-year old was trapped lbw by Gurney for just two and his opening partner, Chris Jones, then edged Fletcher behind, leaving Compton and Hildreth to stage their fightback.
In the corresponding fixture last season, the pair added an unbroken 217 together but a repeat seemed unthinkable as Nottinghamshire claimed to have Compton caught behind before he had scored and then out lbw on one, both off Gurney.
Reprieved on both occasions, the batsman eased into his work.
His unbeaten 204 here a year ago was a masterclass in concentration and timing.
This time he was content to play second fiddle to Hildreth but broke free to loft Samit Patel over the long off ropes to bring up a battling half century from 91 deliveries, with eight fours and that one six.
Hildreth also hit a maximum to bring up a run-a-ball century - pulling Fletcher over deep square leg - to reach his 29th first-class ton.
On an easy-paced wicket, which has already produced three centuries, both counties will hope to have already done enough to have beaten the drop.
