BOLSTERED by the unexpected appearance of Matthew Hoggard, who was released by England on Tuesday, Yorkshire bowled energetically in between the two torrential downpours which restricted play to 37.3 overs at Taunton yesterday.

Somerset batted resolutely and were relieved to close on 73 for three because both Hoggard and Chris Silverwood could have caused even more damage had they combined greater accuracy with their undoubted speed on a fast and true pitch.

Winning the toss, Somerset probably had second thoughts about batting first as Mark Lathwell sliced Hoggard through the vacant third slip before captain Jamie Cox edged Silverwood to wicketkeeper Simon Guy who was able to celebrate his Championship debut with an early catch.

The first storm came at 14 for one in the sixth over and caused 34 overs to be lost, but the large contingent of Yorkshire fans found the re-start worth waiting for because Hoggard soon bowled Lathwell with one of the most spectacular dismissals in a long while, the batsman's leg stump doing several somersaults before coming to rest near Guy's feet.

It was stirring stuff and with both Hoggard and Silverwood firing on all cylinders, Piran Holloway and Peter Bowler had all on to survive although they were helped by not having to play at every ball.

Gavin Hamilton also looked threatening but Holloway seemed to have weathered the storm until he suddenly flicked Hamilton to square leg where Gary Fellows, who had earlier distinguished himself with some fine stops, held the catch.

Bowler then found a watchful partner in Keith Parsons and they held out against both speed and spin when left-armer Ian Fisher was introduced into the attack.

The fourth wicket had added 22 together by the time the second burst of rain hit the ground in the over before tea. Play was due to resume again at 6pm but a squall put paid to that.

SCOREBOARD

PPP healthcare County Championship

Division One

Somerset v Yorkshire

at Taunton Somerset Won Toss

Somerset First Innings Close

Cox c Guy b Silverwood 4

Lathwell b Hoggard 8

Holloway c Fellows b Hamilton 15

Bowler not out 29

Parsons not out 11

Extras w4 nb2 6

Total 3 wkts (37.3 overs) 73

Fall: 1-12 2-16 3-51

Bowling: Silverwood 10-4-13-1 Hoggard 11.3-5-32-1 Hamilton 7-2-20-1 Fisher 9-4-8-0