YORKSHIRE endured a tough day in the field as Somerset veterans Marcus Trescothick and Chris Rogers gave their side first day honours in their Specsavers County Championship clash at Taunton.

Trescothick (97) and Rogers (91) helped Somerset to a strong 342-4 as Yorkshire struggled to take wickets and create chances after opting to bowl first.

As is now customary, visiting captains have the opportunity to bowl first before a coin is tossed, and Yorkshire skiper Andrew Gale obliged at a sun-drenched Taunton.

But the home side went on to dominate the day’s play, with Trescothick, Rogers and James Hildreth (68 not out) pushing their side to a big first innings total.

Despite Somerset’s strong showing with the bat, Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie maintained it was the right decision to bowl early.

“It was a no brainer for us,” Gillespie said. “We felt it was the best call, and still believe it was the best decision for us to strive to win the game.

“I think Somerset batted well, (but) we bowled well for a fair chunk of the day.

Going into the match, Yorkshire were forced to make three changes from the winning side against Surrey last week.

Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (international duty) and David Willey (abdominal strain) were key outs, replaced by York batsman Jack Leaning, Andrew Hodd and Stamford Bridge all-rounder Will Rhodes.

Steve Patterson got the visitors off to a great start by removing Tom Abell for 8.

That brought Rogers to the crease, and he and Trescothick shared an entertaining 148-run stand.

But their respective innings were not chanceless, and Yorkshire will rue dropping Trescothick on 42 – a tough caught and bowled chance missed by Adam Lyth – and Rogers on 40, a regulation drop at first slip from vice-captain Alex Lees.

Patterson had grafted away at Rogers’ off stump, and when he finally drew the edge he was searching for, Yorkshire failed to capitalise.

Adil Rashid (2-70 off 19) eventually removed both, either side of tea, in the 90s – Trescothick with a sharp caught and bowled, and Rogers with a deceptive googly, caught behind.

Even after the experienced pair were dismissed, Somerset maintained a healthy run-rate.

Hildreth pushed on with Jim Allenby (51) to put on 85 in 21 overs.

Allenby eventually fell to the returning Rhodes (1-46 off 18), who was one of Yorkshire’s most consistent bowlers all day.

Rhodes forced an uppish drive from Allenby, who was caught by Gary Ballance in the covers, much to the delight of the medium pacer.

Gillespie was impressed with Patterson, Rashid and the returning Rhodes, and was also pragmatic about the expensive Liam Plunkett (0-72 off 15).

“Liam’s job in the team is to run in and bowl fast,” he said. “Sometimes it doesn’t quite work, but my message won’t be any different to him going forward. It’ll be; ‘Liam, run in, bowl fast, we’re backing you and supporting you’.”

Gillespie said his side will always bowl positively early on, and stick true to the philosophies that have made them county champions for the past two season.

“We always look to bowl full,” he said. “We’d rather get driven than cut or pulled – that’s been something we’re very consistent on over the years.

“They played well, take your hat off. If we can take some wickets early, and put Somerset under some pressure... it’s going to be a big first session.”