Craig Kieswetter and Craig Overton led the Somerset fightback after lunch on the second day of their County Championship clash with Sussex.

Both made half centuries as Somerset recovered from a precarious position at 39-5 in the morning to reach 231-8 at tea, a lead of 17.

Kieswetter completed his 50 shortly after lunch – from 58 balls – as he added 86 with Peter Trego for the sixth wicket.

Trego became Steve Magoffin’s sixth victim of the match when he edged to Steffan Piolet at third slip having made 27.

Magoffin’s hopes of claiming all ten wickets were ended soon afterwards when Piolet had Kieswetter caught off a leading edge by Matt Machan at cover for 65.

At that point Somerset were 125-7 but Craig Meschede took the attack to Will Beer with a 39-ball 38 – including a massive straight six – before being well caught by Luke Wells off the bowling of Piolet.

Overton was dropped on 44 by Ed Joyce at mid-wicket to deny Magoffin a seven wicket and the youngster went on to pass his previous highest first class score of 50 as he reached tea unbeaten on 59.

Sussex have relied heavily on Magoffin for a cutting edge and with the exception of the neat and tidy Piolet the rest of the bowlers have not risen to the challenge.

Beer has been particularly expensive with figures of 0-44 from six overs while there were further problems for Sussex when Luke Wells went off with a back problem.