AS is so often the case, Durham made a far better fist of following-on today than they did their first opportunity to post a decent score at Taunton.
The visitors lasted just six balls after lunch before Stephen Harmison was lbw driving without footwork for six.
All out for 220, 260 behind, it left them to follow-on for the second time this season - both against Somerset. Will Smith and Michael Di Venuto went in for tea more than halfway towards beating that dismal effort on their own.
In fairness to the openers, who posted another century partnership, neither could be blamed for the morning's debacle.
Di Venuto went the previous evening for 46, while Smith grafted 194 deliveries for his 74. It was his departure which had prompted the slide from 177-3.
Once he got off the mark, edging a drive just in front of fourth slip for four, Smith looked in decent touch second time around against bowlers less potent after a couple of hours' work under a hot sun. The former captain was more psoitive than he had been in the morning - even hooking a steepling six over the head of deep backward square - and was five short of his second 50 of the game before offering a chance.
Murali Kartik ought to have taken it at second slip after Peter Trego found the right-hander's edge. Perhaps he had been feeling sorry for himself after the Di Venuto edge which had bounced up into his ribs 15 balls earlier. It forced the Indian spinner's removal from the attack, to be replaced by the less threatening Arul Suppiah.
Di Venuto brought up Durham's 50 after 13.5 overs by top-edging a pull off Alfonso Thomas to the boundary. The 100 came in the last ball of the 27th. His own half-century came off his 72nd delivery faced. He hit six fours. By tea he was 61 not out.
Smith was left stranded on 49 not out, not that he is likely to be too concerned after a far more positive session for the hosts. They ended it on 116-0.
With second-place Lancashire winning a thrilling Roses encounter this afternoon and due to play their game in hand next week, Durham could do with the three points on offer for a draw from this match.
They claimed maximum bowling points from Somerset's innings, but took just one with the bat. If only they had played like this first time around.
There will be a full report of today's play in this week's Sunday Sun.
