An inspirational day with bat and ball from all-rounder Ian Blackwell put Somerset in complete control of their Division One clash with Surrey at Whitgift School.

Resuming the third day unbeaten on 104, the former England international made another 54 runs before finishing the day with figures of 3-49 to leave the hosts reeling at 172-7.

Scott Newman was once again Surrey's saviour with the bat as he made a patient 91, however, the hosts have accumulated a mere 52-run lead with only three wickets remaining.

Earlier Somerset piled the pressure on their opponents by amassing a first innings lead of 120 thanks to centuries from Justin Langer (112) and a powerful 158 from Blackwell.

The Cidermen's lead could have been greater had it not been for a fine individual display from Surrey paceman Jade Dernbach who finished with figures of 6-72.

The hosts' second innings started with an opening partnership of 69 between Newman and Matthew Spriegel, however the latter then perished to Blackwell for 20.

Mark Ramprakash (15) and Usman Afzaal (4) then fell cheaply to Ben Phillips and Blackwell respectively before Surrey were dealt an even bigger blow as Newman was dismissed by Steffan Jones nine runs short of a 12th first class century.