IAN Westwood converted his first half-century of the season into three figures as Warwickshire edged in front against Durham with only three wickets down.

Again they lost only one wicket in the session, reaching tea on 233 for three, leading by 26, with Westwood on 106.

He completed his first century since April last year off 219 balls with a cover drive off Paul Coughlin for his 15th four.

The ball was still swinging for Barry McCarthy and Paul Coughlin when they pitched it up, but both struggled for accuracy, while Chris Rushworth and Graham Onions were totally out of luck.

Rushworth had Jonathan Trott in all kinds of trouble then Onions gave Ian Bell a torrid time after Trott skied a pull to deep square leg off McCarthy to depart for 48.

Bell was immediately off the mark with a pulled four, but he was beaten three times on seven by Onions.

He then inside-edged the same bowler on to his pads before Onions beat Westwood on 80 with a ball which swung across the left-hander. It also beat wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter, whose intial movement was to leg.

Bell found life much easier when Durham turned to Scott Borthwick's leg spin, twice easing short balls in front of mid-wicket for four.