DURHAM fought back strongly after coming under early fire from the Surrey openers in the Royal London Cup clash between the joint group leaders at Chester-le-Street.

As Durham showed their 50-over pedigree by tightening up, left-hander Steve Davies had to throttle back in an attempt to hold the innings together.

After making 99 in the crushing win against Northants on Tuesday, he fell for 98 when he was stumped off Ryan Pringle as Durham's spinners found some rare Riverside turn.

The opening stand of 78 inside 12 overs suggested Surrey could comfortably top 300, but they had to settle for 271 for seven.

It was Paul Collingwood, who was sparingly used in the first two matches, who stemmed the initial onslaught after his first over cost ten.

He removed the dangerous Jason Roy for 34 then had Kumar Sangakkara caught behind for three – the first of four victims for Phil Mustard - and went on to finish with 10-0-44-2.

Scott Borthwick also bowled ten overs. His first cost eight and the last 12, but he bowled well inbetween to take one for 52.