Nottinghamshire produced a disciplined batting performance on the third day of their match against Somerset at Taunton, with 21-year old Tom Moores registering his maiden first-class hundred under sunny skies.

Moores reached his ton from 106 deliveries but was dismissed shortly afterwards for 103, before walking off to a terrific ovation.

“Obviously, I’m elated to get the monkey off the back with the first one,” he said. “More importantly it has put the lads in a good position going into tomorrow.”

Moores arrived at the crease with the score on 299 for five, after four of the top order had passed fifty.

“They played really well up front and we knew we had to play well today, it was a massive day for us, otherwise we were out of the game," said Moores.

“But the lads met it head on and took it in their stride and thankfully we’ve been able to get into a half-decent position with more work to do with the bat tomorrow morning.”

Moores enjoyed a fruitful partnership of 118 in only 24 overs with Billy Root, as Notts extended their lead towards 200.

“It’s great to bat with Bill,” said Moores. “We talk about building partnerships in cricket and it was really nice to bat with Bill, he’s a lovely rotator of the strike, so you never get stuck at one end. He’s a really calm guy to bat with and I’ve always enjoyed it but it was a real shame for him to get out when he did. The wicket is conducive to spin and I think he fell to a pretty good ball from Bessy (Dom Bess).”

Moores was on 98 at the time and was delivered a wayward ball from Josh Davey that just needed tickling down to fine leg for the runs he needed.

“It was the dream ball really, the last thing you want is for them to keep stacking it on off-stump, so he did me a favour by giving me one I could tickle down the legside," he said.

“No matter what anyone says, being in the nineties is always a bit twitchy and you want to get it out of the way and get to three figures as quickly as you can.

“It was a shame to get out then but it’s a learner for me – I guess if it had been just a normal over and not the final one of the day I’d have played it differently. I’m gutted but it’s one of those things.

“We’d like to get a few more runs to really put them under pressure if we can. If they are chasing anything between 250 and 300 on that pitch, with it spinning as it is, we’ll be very happy.”

Moores junior confided that his dad, Nottinghamshire Head Coach Peter Moores had had a quiet word at the end of the day.

“He said it was a very proud moment for him. He said the first hundred is one of the things you’ll remember for the rest of your life and more importantly I did it for the team. Then he gave me a tap on the back and just said ‘Well done!”

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