Somerset enjoyed mixed fortunes on the second day of their championship survival battle against Hampshire at The Rosebowl.

Resuming on 15 without loss this morning, Hampshire lost two batsmen early on before Will Kendall (46) and veteran Robin Smith (52) shared a third wicket partnership of 83.

From 108 for 3, the hosts lost wickets steadily with only John Francis, the brother of Somerset's Simon, remaining any length of time at the wicket.

Francis was eventually caught by Andy Caddick for 53 off the bowling of Ian Blackwell, who ended with his career best figures of 5 for 54.

When the Cidermen batted for a second time they got off to a disastrous start, losing both opener cheaply.

Mike Burns and night watchman Matt Bulbeck safely navigated Somerset through to the close of play without further loss by which time they had taken the score onto 14 for 2, a lead of 56 with eight second innings wickets remaining.

After the close of play Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "The game is pretty evenly balanced. It was good performance from the boys to bowl them out for 236, but then it was a shame to lose those two wickets at the end tonight."

He continued: "The wicket will probably dry out a little bit and make it difficult for them to bat last, so tomorrow we will be looking to push our score to 200 and beyond and then it will be game on!"

© Somerset CCC