Captain Paul Franks recorded a century as Nottinghamshire posted a competitive total on the first day of their Second Eleven Championship match against Durham.
Franks, who combined with Brett Hutton in a stand worth 157 with Brett Hutton, saw his team recover from 112-5 at lunch to a declaration on 385-9.
After winning the toss Nottinghamshire elected to bat first, with Adam Tillcock and Jake Libby opening proceedings. Despite losing Libby for five, Will Root joined Tillcock and the pair saw Notts past 50.
Tillcock made 26 before being caught behind off Alastair Evans, then Root pulled Evans to square leg on 49, the score 101-3. Anuj Dal scored eight before edging behind, before Tom Moores suffered similar fate without scoring.
This brought Paul Franks and Brett Hutton together at 112-5.
After lunch, the pair effortlessly added runs. Franks made 50 from 72 balls, before taking his side past 200. Hutton then reached a 50 of his own, bringing up the 100 partnership.
The pair passed 250 in the 66th over, and a four from Brett Hutton heralded a 150-run stand between him and his captain. By tea, the pair had batted through the session, reaching the break at 271-5 – Franks 84* and Hutton not far behind on 73.
The stand ended one over after the break, Max Morley trapping Hutton LBW without adding to his score, ending a partnership of 157.
Franks continued though, and found an able partner in Tom Keast. The pair passed 300 in the 81st over, before Franks reached a 158-ball century which boasted 14 fours and three sixes, heralding it in style with a maximum. Next ball his stay came to an end though, caught off Evans next ball.
Ben Kitt came in at 315-7, but was caught in the slips a few overs later. Ashley Shaw joined Keast and the number ten made 36 before being bowled by Ryan Buckley, prompting a declaration on 385-9, Tom Keast unbeaten on 48.
This left Durham’s openers with two overs to negotiate before stumps, and Adam Hickey & Graham Clark saw through to the close on 6-0.