SOMERSET’S batsmen enjoyed their last pre-season work out on the third and final day of their drawn match against Lancashire at Taunton Vale.

A partnership of 85 between Chris Rogers and Marcus Trescothick, a half century from James Hildreth and some lusty blows from Pete Trego were the highlights of a productive day for Somerset, who finished up 278 for seven, having restricted Lancashire to 199-9.

Afterwards, Chris Rogers, the new Somerset captain, said there were plenty of positives to take from a rain-affected three days.

He said: “I think it has been a good couple of days for us in the end.

“There are a lot of positives here at the moment and that will count for a bit but there is still a long way to go.

“The bowlers bowled some really good spells and our batsmen enjoyed some time out in the middle and it was a good contest.

“I felt better about the way that I batted today although I am still a bit rusty, but it’s still a bit cold for me if I am honest.

“However I got some good time in the middle and I feel happy with where I am.”

“It’s nice batting down at the other end from a guy like Marcus (Trescothick) and I think we are going to spur each other on this season and there will be a little bit of a challenge between the two of us, which is good to have.”

He added: “To be up there at the other end and watch a guy go about his work day to day is a bit of a pleasure and I am going to enjoy that very much.”

Resuming on their overnight total of 180 for seven, Lancashire had added just a single before they lost a wicket off the fourth ball of the day when Josh Davey had Clark caught by Trego for 35.

Five overs later, Gregory bowled Parry for 24 and after the addition of nine more runs they declared.

Davey ended the innings with three for 18 from 13 overs, while Groenewald finished with two for 30 and Gregory two for 57.

When Somerset replied, openers Trescothick and Abell took the total onto 20 before the latter was LBW to Simon Kerrigan for nine; soon after which there was another break for rain.

The afternoon session was dominated by a second wicket partnership of 85 in 19 overs between the Rogers and Trescothick.

The pair saw three figures onto the board but on 105 the new captain was caught by Hameed off Proctor for 34.

Two overs later Trescothick followed Rogers back to the pavilion when he was run out for 55 with the score on 114 for 3.

By tea Hildreth and Allenby had moved the score onto 143 without further loss off 37 overs.

After the break Allenby helped to take Somerset to 167 when he was bowled by Jimmy Anderson for 21.

Hildreth and Roelof van der Merwe saw Somerset past the Lancashire total, but on 212 Hildreth was LBW to Kerrigan for 57.

Van der Merwe had moved onto 28 when he was caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Kyle Jarvis off Kerrigan.

Ryan Davies was stumped by his opposite number for five, before Trego who bludgeoned three fours and four sixes in an entertaining knock of 47 not out off just 31 balls.

Somerset declared on 278 for 7 just before 6pm.

Matt Maynard said: “All of guys have bowled well; Tim Groenewald and Lewis Gregory did well and backed up by Ben Green and Josh Davey, Pete Trego and Jim Allenby, so all of the seamers have put the ball in the right areas and made it hard word for the Lancashire batsmen.

“We know that Taunton Vale is a good wicket so to restrict them to score at just over two and a half an over is testament to the areas we bowled. We made them play a lot and we have been aggressive the way that we have gone about it.

Matt added: “This is exactly what we need to do at Durham – hit good areas relentlessly all day because we know the wicket will offer more assistance than here at Taunton Vale.

“The key thing is not to try too hard and just put the ball in the right areas as we have done well today.”