Alex Gidman and Ben Cox scored excellent half centuries as Worcestershire edged closer to Somerset's first innings total of 250 on the second day of the LV = County Championship clash at New Road.
Gidman reached the fifty mark for the first time for his new county after his move from Gloucestershire on a two year contract.
It was an accomplished and determined innings from the 33-year-old who reached the half century mark off 104 balls with seven fours.
Gidman shared in partnerships of 59 in 17 overs with Alexei Kervezee and 64 in 13 overs with Cox and his innings was chanceless until when on 78 he cut Craig Overton to Johann Myburgh who held onto head high catch at point.
In total he faced 166 deliveries, struck nine boundaries and batted for more than three and a half hours.
Cox looked in good nick from the minute he went to the wicket and hit the first two balls he faced from Peter Trego for four.
He reeled off a series of impressive cover drives and went to his half century off only 62 balls with nine boundaries.
By tea Worcestershire had moved onto 241-6 from 82 overs – just nine runs adrift – with Cox unbeaten on 65 and Leach 12.
Worcestershire resumed on 35-2 after 18 overs in reply to Somerset's all out total of 250.
Skipper Daryl Mitchell was trapped lbw by a delivery that kept low from Alfonso Thomas for 27 in the third over of the day after nine runs had been added.
Gidman instantly looked in good form and collected a boundary with a backfoot cover drive off Lewis Gregory who is part of the England squad for the ODI with Ireland on Friday.
Kervezee, fresh from his fine 93 against Sussex at Hove, brought the 50 up with a four through mid wicket off Gregory.
The Dutch international then drilled Craig Overton through the covers for four and clipped him off his legs for three in the same over.
Gidman, the third highest scorer in Division Two last season with 1,277 runs, moved into the 30s with a cut for four off Gregory off whom he collected a series of boundaries.
It was Peter Trego who broke the partnership after it had added 59 when he yorked Kervezee for 29 with Worcestershire 103-4.
Gidman's first half century since his move up the M5 was completed with a two off Jim Allenby out of 117-4 in the 43rd over.
Worcestershire reached 133-4 at lunch but added only one more run before Ross Whiteley (11) was caught at second slip off Trego.
Cox was bustling with intent from the outset and his first four scoring shots were boundaries at Trego's expense.
Gidman was eventually sixth out at 199 but the first batting point was secured in the 64th over
Joe Leach gave staunch support to Cox and had helped add an unbroken 42 by the tea interval.
