LIAM Plunkett was at great pains to ensure he scored his maiden first-class century yesterday as Durham reached 471 for eight in reply to Durham University's 235.

After a disappointing season with the bat last year, Plunkett batted very sensibly and spent ten overs in the 90s before ending the day unbeaten on 107.

He put on 232 with Ian Blackwell, which was the second highest seventh-wicket stand for Durham behind the 315 shared by Dale Benkenstein and Ottis Gibson at Headingley in 2006.

Plunkett had a first-class batting average of 40.8 in the 2009 season, when he made his previous best score of 94 not out against Sussex at Hove.

He was clearly determined yesterday to improve on that after his average dropped to 14.65 last season. He reached his century off 177 balls.

Blackwell has made a habit of starting the season well for Durham and stole the show with an innings of 158 yesterday.

He made a century on debut in the MCC v Champions match at Lord's two years ago and never looked like getting out yesterday until he was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of medium pacer Luc Durandt.

On a windy day at the Racecourse ground the gazebo housing the scorers twice left its moorings and the predominantly medium pace attack struggled after reducing Durham to 198 for six.

Mark Stoneman was cruising along with 73 off 79 balls with 11 fours before he fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Luke Blackaby at mid-wicket.

Gordon Muchall added only 11 to his overnight 15 before he was bowled by Durandt, but Ben Stokes looked in fine form after his winter with England Lions.

He hit three sixes in reaching 51 off 62 balls before a leading edge gave spinner Tom Westley a return catch.

The students also have a 50-over one-day game against Durham on Thursday, in which Graham Onions will feature.

He is not under consideration for the opening championship match against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, starting on Friday, but could play against Yorkshire at Headingley next week.

Steve Harmison will be in the squad for Friday, when Callum Thorp will also be available.

Coach Geoff Cook said: "Given that they had just come off a flight from our tour to Dubai all the bowlers were given the option to miss the university match. The senior ones opted not to play and it has worked out quite well.

"These are a crucial few days to polish off the work of the last eight weeks. It was excellent for Liam to get a hundred and his bowling also looked as though it's going in the right direction, so it's been a good couple of days for him."

Durham are awaiting the results of a scan on a foot injury Mark Davies suffered in Dubai.