Harry Gouldstone was the outstanding performer for Northamptonshire on day one of their four-day second eleven championship fixture against Somerset at Taunton Vale Cricket Club. His stylish 106 ball 84, batting at number seven, was the glue that held the Northamptonshire innings of 162 together.

It came as no surprise that Somerset elected to bowl when they won the toss. With cloud overhead and a green-top wicket, their seamers put the Northamptonshire top order to the test.

Davies took four catches from the bowling of Ogborne and Sale, to see only Gus Miller get into double figures from the opening six batters. At lunch Somerset had Northamptonshire struggling at 78/6 – thanks not only to the conditions, but to some excellent Somerset seam bowling.

Gouldstone then got to work recusing Northamptonshire’s score, guiding the lower order through the session to get himself 84 and Northamptonshire to 188 all out.

Conditions improved for batters after tea with the cloud cover dispersing. James Sales bowled with hostility and removed former England wicketkeeper Steven Davies and opener Umeed, but this did not stop Somerset ending the day in a commanding position on 167-2 with the experienced James Hildreth poised on 53 not out from 51 balls.