Somerset 208 and 23 for 1 trail Warwickshire 330 (Hain 68, Webster 64, Mousley 54) by 99 runs
Warwickshire's middle order batting came good as the visitors assumed the upper hand on day two of the Rothesay County Championship First Division match against Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.
Sam Hain, Beau Webster and Dan Mousley each posted a half century as the Bears took advantage of improved batting conditions to register 330 and establish a significant first-innings lead of 122.
An injury replacement for Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne claimed 3 for 40 to keep Somerset in the hunt, while there were two wickets apiece for Craig Overton, Jake Ball and Jack Leach.
Required to face 11 overs in the early evening gloom, the home side reached the close on 23 for the loss of Josh Thomas, who fell lbw to Nathan Gilchrist. Somerset trail by 99 and will likely have to bat a further four sessions if they are to save the game.
Looking to forge a meaningful advantage after resuming on 92-2, Warwickshire found their progress hindered by the bad light and rain showers which caused 12 overs to be lost during the morning session. But there remained sufficient opportunity for Mousley and Hain to extend their burgeoning partnership into three-figure territory, both contributing valuable half centuries. The more fluent of the two, Mousley raised 50 from 99 balls, his partner in runs facing 31 deliveries more in attaining the same landmark with 7 fours.
A lengthy casualty list notwithstanding, Somerset were assisted by the moisture and low cloud cover that enlivened the pitch and rendered batting a more hazardous occupation either side of lunch.
Josh Shaw took full advantage of the prevailing conditions, cramping Mousley for room and presenting Thomas Rew with a regulation catch behind with the score 129 for 3. Mousley contributed 54 from 111 balls, accrued seven boundaries and played his part in a crucial stand of 115 in 41 overs that afforded the visitors the upper hand.
Ogborne summoned sharp lift to remove Hain, the ball coming off the shoulder of the bat and being taken above head height by Overton at second slip as Somerset continued to fight back. Hain's fine innings of 68 occupied 157 deliveries and was adorned by 10 fours.
Webster opened his shoulders to navigate Warwickshire clear of the doldrums, cutting Ball for a brace of fours and greeting Leach with a pulled six behind square, while Ed Barnard, having taken 26 balls to get off the mark, hoisted Somerset's senior spinner over long-on to signal a notable gear change. The fifth wicket pair raised 50 via 82 balls before Leach lured Barnard onto the front foot and Rew demonstrated lightning-quick glovework to effect his first Championship stumping and reduce the visitors to 202 for 5.
But there was no stopping Webster, who looked increasingly assured as he went to a forthright 50 from 86 balls with 7 fours and a six. He and Zen Malik advanced the score to 241-5 at the tea interval, putting Warwickshire's account firmly into the black.
Somerset took the new ball immediately after tea and Ball struck a crucial blow, pinning Webster lbw for 64. The Australian had faced 101 deliveries, struck 8 fours and a six and helped advance the score to 249-6, a lead of 41.
