Somerset and Essex share spoils after rain-affected opening day

NICK HOWSON AT LORD'S: The first piece of domestic silverware remains very much up for grabs after some tense opening exchanges

Lord's (first day of five): Somerset 119-4 v Essex

Scorecard

Somerset and Essex couldn't be separated after rain dominated on the opening day of the Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord's.

Just 44 overs were possible on day one of a possible five at the home of cricket.

The Cidermen nudged their way to 119 for 4 when an early close of play was called at 5:30pm BST following a third band of wet weather.

Eddie Byrom hit an unbeaten 51 not out in bowler-friendly conditions, but his runs could yet prove vital in what is expected to be a low-scoring affair.

Sam Cook took 2-38 and there were wickets for seam partners Jamie Porter (1-33) and Aaron Beard (1-38), but Simon Harmer bowled six overs without reward.

^{Sam Cook got in amongst Somerset from the outset}

The first domestic final of the season promised much after an intriguing group stage during the reduced one-off red-ball competition.

It pitted the two sides who contested last season's County Championship decider, which saw Essex claim a second title in three seasons but it ensured Somerset arrived at Lord's sensing revenge.

An opportunity to bowl under overcast skies after winning the toss appeared to give Essex an early advantage, one which they took as Cook trapped Tom Lammonby (0) lbw from the ninth ball of the match for his 100th first class wicket.

Ben Green and Tom Abell (19) steadied the ship before the skipper's miscued clip was brilliantly grabbed by Adam Wheater behind the stumps to give Beard success.

A combination of some probing lines and some extra zip off a fresh Lord's pitch meant Cook was a constant threat and the delivery of the day which thundered into the top of off-stump bowled Green for 24.

There were few genuine drives played all afternoon and it was tough going for Byrom and George Bartlett, though they did reach the lunch break without further damage at 90 for 3.

^{Eddie Byrom showed how to bat in tough conditions}

A sprinkling of rain meant the resumption was delayed by one hour and 25 minutes but it was all Essex after the restart.

Runs were as difficult to come by as they had been all day and following 27 dots in succession it was little surprise when Bartlett (12) edged Porter into the safe hands of Sir Alastair Cook.

The reigning county champions were stopped in their tracks once again by the inclement conditions which forced a delay by an hour and 45 minutes.

Both sets of players returned for a finale foray in the evening session and though it only lasted 17 balls it was enough time for Byrom to reach a fifth first-class half-century from 82 deliveries to cap off an evenly-fought opening day.

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