DURHAM suffered their most abject collapse of a disastrous season this afternoon as their poor batting form underlined that relegation is a genuine threat.

On 59 for one at lunch they led by 63 and everything looked set up for Somerset to enjoy an interesting run chase on the final day.

By tea Durham had been dismissed for 167, leaving Somerset to score 152 to win with 34 overs remaining on the third day.

Durham might want to reflect that the match has been a good advert for youth. Jamie Harrison has enjoyed a very promising debut – he was last out for 20 - while Somerset’s highly talented teenagers took nine of the second innings wickets.

George Dockrell, the 19-year-old left-arm spinner from Dublin, took six for 29, including a spell of four for none in ten balls.

Dockrell played for Ireland at 17 and, despite missing some games because of school exams, has already appeared in 28 one-day internationals.

Of the four players out for nought Ben Stokes and Phil Mustard lasted four balls, Callum Thorp three and Liam Plunkett two.

Durham had advanced to 69 for one when the rot set in with three wickets going down on the same total.

A murky morning had given way to a steamy afternoon, which helped the ball to swing. But it was extra bounce from the lanky Craig Overton which began the slide.

Mark Stoneman tried to withdraw his bat and edged to first slip, then Overton produced another good one to have Stokes taken at third slip.

Will Smith departed for 22 when he edged Alfonso Thomas to second slip then Ian Blackwell counter-attacked, hitting four fours as he scored 18 off the first 12 balls he faced.

But he was clearly in difficulty when Dockrell came on and tried to knock him off his length by advancing to drive him over long-off for six.

He then cut the next ball for four, only to chip a return catch off the next to depart for 34, ending what threatened to be a reviving stand of 62 with Paul Collingwood.

Mustard was caught off bat and pad, Plunkett drove to mid-off and Thorp lobbed a catch to cover.

With only two wickets standing, Collingwood tried to slog / sweep Dockrell and edged to slip to depart for 32 and finally Harrison was caught at point.