ROSS Whiteley and Ben Cox posted a fifth-wicket century stand for Worcestershire as rain hit their LV= County Championship Division One clash at Somerset.

Replying to a daunting 565-5 declared after winning the toss and asking the Taunton hosts to bat first, the County go into the final day on 172-4 from 41 overs of their first innings with batting bonus points up for grabs.

Play finally got under way at 3.30pm today with Whiteley racing to his half-century off 68 balls with 46 runs coming in boundaries via one six and 10 fours.

Cox, who scored a century in the innings win over Somerset at New Road earlier in the season, gave him fine support as the 100 partnership came up in only 17 overs.

The players left the field again for bad light and rain on 135-4 from 33.1 overs.

When they returned at 6.10pm with seven overs left, Cox completed his half-century off 58 balls with his ninth four.

The visitors, who resumed on 44-4, finished the day with Whiteley on 78 not out and Cox on 52no in a stand of 139.

Yesterday, Somerset continued to dominate from 349-5 until declaring early in the afternoon on 565 from 138.2 overs without further loss.

James Hildreth was unbeaten on 220 and former Worcestershire second XI player Peter Trego had reached 130no.

The County then slipped to 44-4 in the 19 overs before tea as Lewis Gregory claimed 2-6 from seven overs with five maidens.

Craig Overton claimed his 41st wicket of the season in the second over when makeshift opener Brett D’Oliveira was caught at second slip by Marcus Trescothick for a golden duck.

Tom Fell (11) was caught at first slip by Jim Allenby as he pushed forward and three balls later Gregory bowled Alex Gidman for no score.

Captain Daryl Mitchell (13) fell to wicketkeeper Michael Bates off left-arm spinner Jack Leach.