Hildreth and Trescothick take Somerset towards safety

A James Hildreth century and another key innings from Marcus Trescothick saw Somerset into a strong position at the end of the first day against Warwickshire at Taunton.

Needing seven points to guarantee his side's First Division survival, skipper Trescothick shared valuable partnerships with Tom Cooper and Hildreth, who ended the day unbeaten on 118, as Somerset closed on 360 for 5, collecting four of those precious points in the process.

After a slightly delayed start, it was Trescothick who took charge of the first part of the day after opting to bat first. The 39-year-old veteran produced an array of shots, the pick of which was a classic cover drive off Oliver Hannon-Dalby in the eighth over.

Along with Tom Abell, the former England man helped to take the total onto 30 when Abell played back to a good ball from Hannon-Dalby and was caught by wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose.

Tom Cooper joined Trescothick and it was the new batsman who brought up the fifty when he took two off Patel to square leg. Trescothick looked in fine form and brought up his half-century with a four off Rikki Clarke to third man, his runs coming from 68 balls with nine fours.

The second-wicket pair had taken the total to 98 when in the last over before lunch Cooper was bowled by Clarke for 43. Hildreth joined Trescothick and it was the new man who brought up the 100 in the first full over after the interval.

In the hour after lunch Hildreth was in full flow and went to his half-century with a single off Mark Adair, having faced 52 balls and hit nine fours.

Trescothick took his own score onto 87 when he looked to drive Adair and was caught by Ambrose with the total on 199, his partnership with Hildreth being worth 101.

Jim Allenby and Hildreth added 55 together, but after moving to 29 the former was caught by Ambrose off Barker, with the total on 254. Pete Trego made a brisk 24 before he was caught at backward point by Freddy Coleman off Keith Barker.

Hildreth brought up the Somerset 300 and secured another crucial point with a square driven boundary and in the next over from Clarke went to his fifth first-class century of the season with a single into the off side, his runs coming off 150 balls with 15 fours.

Luke Ronchi was unbeaten on 38 at the end of a day reduced to 84 overs by the weather.