Six wickets for Johnson in a tough day for the Cidermen at the seaside

Paceman Richard Johnson was in fine form for Somerset today as he took 6 for 47 as the Cidermen dismissed fellow championship strugglers Lancashire for 251 at Blackpool today. When Somerset batted however they found runs equally difficult to come by and will need some resolute batting in the morning to keep themselves in this vital game.

Johnson who has missed several championship games this season through injury warmed up for Saturday's Cheltenham and Gloucester final at Lord's with an impressive display to show that he is back at the top of his game.

It was the former Middlesex man who struck for Somerset early on when he bowled Mark Chilton with the score on 5. Johnson also took the vital wickets of Alec Swann(36) and Neil Fairbrother (23) and then wrapped up the tail as the hosts were all out in late afternoon.

The only substantial partnership of the Lancashire was between Fairbrother and Stuart Law(77) who added 77 for the fourth wicket.

England man Andy Caddick weighed in with two wickets, and Simon Francis and Keith Parson ended with one a piece.

All rounder Michael Burns had to leave the field during the Lancashire innings with a knee injury, the extent of which

When Somerset replied they too got into early trouble, losing Matt Wood with the score on 23 and Peter Bowler nine runs later.

Jamie Cox and Parsons brought up the fifty but the Somerset skipper was out shortly afterwards when he was caught by Chilton off James Anderson for 20.

After his two big scores against Warwickshire at Taunton last week Ian Blackwell will have been disappointed to be out for 8, and before the close of play Parsons also perished when he was bowled by Anderson for 27.

The sixth wicket pair of Rob Turner and Keith Dutch guided Somerset through to the end of the day by which time they had reached 91 for 5 off 36 overs.

All rounder Michael Burns had to leave the field whilst Lancashire were batting with a knee injury the extent of which is uncertain, but it prevented him from batting in the evening.

At the end of the day Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "This was a tough day again for us, but hopefully with a couple of partnerships in the morning we will get up to their total if not beyond."

He continued: "Richard Johnson bowled really well, on a wicket that isn't easy but isn't bad either. We have had a bit of a setback today with Michael Burns, but we hope he will be able to bat tomorrow."