Hill-Bess stand threatens Somerset title ambitions

Somerset face a seismic day in their quest for Rothesay County Championship glory tomorrow as they head into day four against Yorkshire at Headingley on 73 for 3 chasing 287.

Mid-table Yorkshire advanced to 275 all out in their second innings on the stroke of tea, with allrounders George Hill and Dom Bess - the latter who started his career at Somerset - contributing 89 off 173 balls and 77 off 186 respectively.

They completed an impressive seventh-wicket partnership of 166 from 54 for 7 late on day two. Pre-game leaders Somerset then slipped to 0 for 1 in the first over of their chase at the start of the evening session.

Opener Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell are the unbeaten pair, with the hopes of an expectant county initially resting on their shoulders. Somerset need 214 more to win.

Before this round of fixtures, Somerset headed a trio of teams separated by five points at the summit, with Warwickshire and champions Nottinghamshire also involved in one of the most thrilling titles races in recent memory. But Warwickshire beat Essex inside two days to claim top spot.

Yorkshire enjoyed a superb morning as they advanced calmly from an overnight 128 for 6.

Hill started the day on 50 and Bess 27. Hill did take three fours as 17 came off Migael Pretorius at one point, with Bess following him to fifty off 130 balls.

The pair continued on until shortly after lunch, their partnership broken when Hill top-edged an attempted pull at Craig Overton behind, leaving the score at 220 for 7 in the 91st over.

Hill is fast becoming a 'turn water into wine' type player for Yorkshire, though today Bess was the bigger story given he started his career in the Somerset's academy and first represented England whilst playing for them.

At the end of the season, Bess will get married to his partner Phoebe in Mallorca. Somerset batter Abell will be his best man. He knows exactly how much it would mean to the players, coaches and supporters to finally deliver a maiden Championship title. But he is determined to thwart them.

"It would be good," smiled Bess pre-game when asked about that prospect.

No doubt, Hill and Bess have been Yorkshire's two standout players this season, regularly contributing valuable runs in addition to their main roles with the ball. Both players have contributed at least 600 runs and at least 30 wickets apiece in Division One.

Bess was bowled by Pretorius - off stump out of the ground - with Yorkshire's lead at 250, the score 239 for 8. Yorkshire then eked out some more valuable runs before Archie Vaughan's offspin had Ben Coad caught at short leg and Ben Cliff bowled in the 111th over to wrap things up.

Indian wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav finished 23 not out and will have been encouraged Vaughan's wicket balls, both turning appreciably. But it was Coad who struck first, just three balls into the Somerset chase when he had Josh Thomas caught behind.

There was a brief 10-minute rain delay not long after Coad's strike. When play resumed, Coad struck again to bowl Vaughan, shouldering arms, with one that nipped back - 20 for 2 in the 13th over.

Make no mistake, this was a nasty evening session for Somerset to navigate even though the pitch did seem to favour batting more than at any other stage in the match.

There were two 10-minute rain breaks thrown in for good measure.

Matthew Revis then bowled Henry Nicholls through the gate with the score on 60 before Lammonby and Abell ensured no further alarm, with third rain shower ending the day early at 5.50pm. Lammonby reached 29 not out and Abell 6.

Meanwhile, England's new Test coach Stephen Fleming made a flying visit to Headingley today to watch some play and meet Yorkshire's general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton amongst others.