An injury to Michael Yardy marred an excellent Sussex performance on the opening day of the County Championship match with Somerset.

After losing the toss in what looked to be excellent batting conditions at Taunton, Richard Montgomerie, captaining the side in place of the injured Chris Adams, shuffled his bowlers sensibly and saw them restrict the home side to 270 all out.

That is not a high score on the plum Taunton pitches and by the time Keith Dutch bowled the final over of the day Sussex had replied with 164-2, moving into a strong position.

But the third ball of Dutch's over saw Yardy drive to mid-off.

Instead of taking an easy single he collapsed in agony with a knee problem and after lengthy treatment the left-hander retired hurt, bringing a long day to a close at 7.13pm.

Sussex had been guilty of a very slow over-rate, but in all other respects could feel well pleased with their bowling effort.

Jason Lewry and Kevin Innes claimed three wickets each, mainly by swinging the ball, and there were also two victims apiece for Billy Taylor and Mark Davis.

At one point Somerset were 207-9 and in danger of collecting only one batting point.

That became two thanks to a half century from Matt Bulbeck, coming in at No. 10.

He and last man Steffan Jones added 63 valuable runs, giving Sussex their only frustrating period of the day.

Murray Goodwin led the Sussex reply with a rapid 42 before unluckily gloving a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Rob Turner. Montgomerie, on 25, edged the second ball from young seamer Peter Trego to Peter Bowler at slip to leave his team 94-2.

From then on Tony Cottey and Yardy batted with ease. Cottey reached a fine half-century off 58 balls, with seven fours and a six, and was unbeaten on 52 at the close.

Yardy had made 35 when injury struck and his retirement meant Cottey has to begin today's play with a new partner.