Somerset's vital championship match against Kent was evenly poised at the end of the third day's play at Taunton where the Cidermen were 325 runs ahead with seven wickets remaining.

Resuming on 300 for 3 this morning the Kent overnight batsmen Ed Smith and Paul Nixon took their side safely past the follow on total, and then the 350 mark before both became victims of Matt Bulbeck.

Wicket-keeper Nixon was caught by Mike Burns for 88 and Smith edged a chance to wicket-keeper Rob Turner after scoring an impressive 154.

The visitors lost a further wicket when Ian Blackwell trapped Geraint Jones LBW, before declaring on 400 for 6.

In the four overs that were possible before lunch Somerset openers Matt Wood and Jamie Cox had taken the score onto 8 without loss.

After the break the opening pair took the score past 50 until Wood was caught by David Fulton off the bowling of James Tredwell for 21, and Somerset were 64 for 1.

Mike Burns joined Cox and seemed to be progressing well until with the score on 98 he gave a very sharp caught and bowled chance that was gratefully accepted by Tredwell.

Cox was timing the ball sweetly and brought up the hundred in the thirtieth over, and then moved past his fifty four overs later. Peter Bowler was also finding the middle of the bat and hit successive boundaries off Tredwell. By the tea interval Somerset had moved onto 144 for 2.

Shortly after the break Cox was out LBW to Patel for 79, and the Cidermen had moved onto 186 for 3. Bowler was joined by Keith Parsons and the pair enjoyed a 55 run partnership before Parsons became another of Tredwell's victims.

Bowler and Blackwell stayed together at the wicket until the close by which time Somerset had moved onto 265 for 4, with the prospect of a very interesting day's play tomorrow.

At the end of the day Kevin Shine told me: "Kent made a good declaration this morning with a view to setting up a good game. We both need a result, they are trying for second place and of course we need a victory to help in our fight to stave of relegation. Peter Bowler then had a good knock and Jamie Cox also played really really well, they are both playing back into form which is pleasing."

What happens next I asked. He told me: "We're not quite sure yet how we are going to play it tomorrow, and this evening we will be discussing the situation."

© SOMERSET