NEW skipper Will Smith continued to forge a strong alliance with Ian Blackwell yesterday as the pair came to Durham’s rescue on another bleak day at the Racecourse ground.

After their century stand at Lord’s last week both dropped down the order to give others a chance to find form against the Durham University bowlers.

But Durham slumped to 77 for seven in the face of some excellent seam bowling from Welshman John Glover, a Glamorgan Academy product, who took the first five wickets and finished with five for 21 from ten overs.

Smith and Blackwell put on 93 for the eighth wicket and Durham were 172 for nine when bad light ended play on another bitterly cold day.

Smith followed his unbeaten 71 at Lord’s by making 59 off 134 balls, departing when he edged to slip just before the gathering gloom proved terminal. Blackwell was again more fluent in remaining unbeaten on 44, made off 67 balls.

Although Gareth Breese made only 14 with the bat, he pressed his claim for a place in the opening championship match against Yorkshire at Riverside next Wednesday by taking four for ten to wrap up the university innings.

After resuming on 102 for one, skipper Tom Westley and Greg Smith took the total to 122 before the stand of 121 ended when Smith fell to a good ball from Liam Plunkett to spark a collapse.

Plunkett took two more wickets then Westley fell lbw to Breese for 79 and with Blackwell’s left-arm spin also causing problems the students quickly folded.

After his 11 overs on the first day, Steve Harmison didn’t bowl yesterday but will hope for another chance on the final day today.

The weather has left Durham a little under-prepared for Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy opener at home to Yorkshire, but Plunkett can be sure of his place.

He again impressed on a pitch offering movement off the seam, as well as turn for the spinners.

Well as Glover bowled, several of his victims were out to loose shots.

Phil Mustard, sent in to open, drove to extra cover and Dale Benkenstein again failed to make the intended contact with an attempted pull, being caught at long leg.