MATT Mason bowled Worcestershire into a winning position against Somerset on the third day of their Frizzell County Championship match at Bath.

The 6ft 5ins pace bowler took 5-34 from 16 overs as the home side slumped to 151-9 in their second innings, a lead of only 136.

Mason was aided by some wretched batting, but maintained a good line and length and swung the ball away. Only Mike Burns (49) offered much resistance.

Earlier, Worcestershire had extended their overnight 328-4 to 423 all out, with Ben Smith dismissed for 140.

Andy Caddick claimed 5-132, but could not prevent the visitors claiming a first innings lead of 15.

Somerset were then largely responsible for their own downfall. Opener John Francis started the rot by carelessly chipping Chaminda Vaas to Stephen Moore at square-leg.

It was 10-2 when Graeme Smith was bowled by Mason. Sanath Jayasuriya followed with 38 on the board and it was 53-4 when Matt Wood gave a return catch to spinner Ray Price.

Ian Blackwell edged a sharply-rising delivery from Mason to wicketkeeper David Pipe and it was 89-5 at tea.

After the break Rob Turner continued the batting errors by cutting Mason straight to Smith at point.

Richard Johnson fell for a duck and when Burns, who had played solidly, misjudged the line of a Mason delivery Somerset were 121-8.

Aaron Laraman and Caddick rode their luck in an ninth-wicket stand worth 30 before Laraman fell for 16 in the final over of the day.