Somerset’s bowling attack, led by Jamie Overton and Jack Leach, underlined why the county sit comfortably on top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table as they bowled Essex out for 216.

Weston Mercury: Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019 (Image: ©TGS Phototgsphoto.co.uk+44 1376 553468)

Pace bowler Overton and left-arm spinner Leach both claimed three wickets each, while seamers Lewis Gregory and Tim Groenewald both snatched two apiece.

Essex's sole resistance came in the form of England's record Test run scorer Sir Alastair Cook - who scored a patient 80 as the hosts lost nine wickets for 90 runs.

In reply to Essex's 216, Somerset lost Azhar Ali during their tricky 16 overs spell under the floodlights, as the visitors ended the day 184 runs behind.

Essex won the toss and decided to bat on a typical Chelmsford wicket, which at times hinted it would turn later in the match, under blue skies, which would cloud over throughout the day.

Weston Mercury: Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019 (Image: ©TGS Phototgsphoto.co.uk+44 1376 553468)

Both sides observed a minute's silence before play started and wore black armbands in tribute to Somerset chairman Charles Clark who died last Friday.

Cook and Nick Browne had a fluctuating period against the new ball, as the latter struck three luscious boundaries in consecutive balls before a period of 27 dots.

The opening stand reached exactly 50, in the 13th over, before Browne shouldered his arms to Overton's fourth delivery - which straightened and extracted his off stump.

Cook continued in his standard choppy style as he passed a half-century for the 175th time in his first-class career, in 99 deliveries.

Weston Mercury: Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019 (Image: ©TGS Phototgsphoto.co.uk+44 1376 553468)

But it was Tom Westley who led the 76-run partnership for the second wicket, with a series of glamorous cover drives.

He fell for 36 when he feathered an edge behind as he was beaten for pace and bounce by the impressive Overton - which sparked regular wickets to fall through the rest of the afternoon.

Dan Lawrence was lbw to in-form seamer Gregory, before Ravi Bopara survived a nick to third slip first ball but spooned a pull to mid-on - with Gregory managing to get the ball to stick in the pitch.

Ryan ten Doeschate was dismissed leg before for the fifth time in nine Championship innings this season when Overton, who ended with 3-43, found him falling over an in-swinger.

Weston Mercury: Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019 (Image: ©TGS Phototgsphoto.co.uk+44 1376 553468)

Cook had dropped anchor as he added 30 runs in 87 balls following his bat raise, and received a life on 64 when he offered Jack Brooks a caught and bowled chance, which was spilt.

The former England captain failed to capitalise as he fell looping a bat and pad catch to Overton, who had been stationed at second slip, at gully.

Adam Wheater and Simon Harmer chipped in with 21 and 15 respectively to provide some lower-middle order respite before both edged behind - the former off Groenewald and the latter Jack Leach, his 200th Championship wicket.

Having helped Essex to a batting point, Peter Siddle was lbw and Jamie Porter edged behind as the increasingly potent Leach took 3-30 to bowl out the hosts for 216.

Weston Mercury: Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019Jamie Overton of Somerset with an appeal for a wicket during Essex CCC vs Somerset CCC, Specsavers County Championship Division 1 Cricket at The Cloudfm County Ground on 23rd June 2019 (Image: ©TGS Phototgsphoto.co.uk+44 1376 553468)

In overcast conditions, Pakistan batsman Ali departed when he edged Porter behind for eight.

But skipper Tom Abell guided Somerset to stumps, alongside unconvincing nightwatchman Groenewald, on 32 for one.

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath said: "The wickets went in clusters again. We had a really good start with Nick and Alastair and at lunch we were very happy with our position, so to be bowled out for 216 is disappointing.

"Before lunch not a lot was happening, but after lunch the lads thought they were swinging it more and there was a tad more nip.

"I don't think we batted particularly well if I'm being honest, we could have avoided a few wickets, but it did do more in the last two sessions.

"We have outscored the opposition in all our other games here so I would have been more worried if we had been bowled out for 150 and the other team were getting 500.

"To outscore Notts, Kent and Hampshire by between 80 and 100 runs on the wickets we have been playing on is a good effort.

"Let's hope we can outscore Somerset in this game as well as that is the key to winning this match. If Somerset bat past us it will be difficult.

"We talk every game about someone getting a big century and the rest batting around him.

We managed to get too biggish partnerships there and Alastair showed all his class - he looked unflappable when the ball was moving around just after lunch. It is a shame he couldn't get to three figures. That 80 was pivotal for us getting to 200."

Somerset's Jamie Overton added: "It was coming out lovely today. I feel like I've been in some good rhythm in the last month or so.

"Two weeks ago at Kent I only bowled nine overs in the game but then today I got through a few overs and bowled nicely as a result.

"I try to bowl fuller nowadays and hit the stumps as much as I can and it seems to be swinging a lot at the moment.

"It has done a little bit throughout the day. We didn't bowl to our best before lunch and bowled a fraction short at times. We knew we weren't at the races.

"Cook batted nicely again, you know what you are going to get from him he is always going to be there or thereabouts. He is one of the hard guys to get out.

"When Trescothick was in his pomp that was the main wicket for Somerset and now with Essex you are always looking to get Cook out.

"We'll have taken 216 when they were 129 for one, to come back like that and keep them under 250 was an unbelievable effort.

"You would think if it spins on day one then you would think it will spin throughout, that is why our first batting innings is crucial. We will want to get a batting lead of 150 as that will make it harder for Essex - then hopefully we won't chase too many in the last innings."