Chris Taylor hit a century to steer Gloucestershire to 368 all out as honours were shared after the first day's play in the Frizzell County Championship Division One match agaisnt Surrey at the Brit Oval.

Captain Taylor finished on 177, despite Gloucestershire losing early wickets as the Surrey attack ripped into their top order, after Jon Batty had won a decisive toss and elected to field.

The right-hander came to the crease with the visitors in trouble on six for two after Surrey paceman James Ormond picked up the wickets of Craig Spearman and Matt Windows.

The first wicket fell in the second over of the day when in-form Spearman was trapped leg before for a duck. Ormond followed that with the dismissal of Windows (six), again leg before.

Philip Weston and Taylor shared a stand of 49 before Martin Bicknell picked up his first wicket of the innings, having Weston superbly caught by Ormond for 19.

This left the visitors struggling on 55-3, as both Ormond and Bicknell continually beat the outside edge.

Taylor was joined by Alex Gidman at the crease and the pair soon started to attack the Surrey bowlers with some glorious shots, both sides of the wicket.

Taylor was fortunate to survive a difficult chance on 31 as Adam Hollioake dropped an edge but he went on to dominate the day.

Gidman weighed in with 62, but Taylor eventually moved on to his second century of the season with a sweetly-timed square drive, while James Averis was unbeaten with a career-best 48.

Taylor was in the action again later when his direct hit saw off Adam Hollioake as Surrey closed on 2-1.

Frizzell County Championship

Division One Lord's: Middlesex 299-2 (S G Koenig 104, B L Hutton 90, E C Joyce 59 no) v Worcs. The Brit Oval: Gloucs 368 (C G Taylor 177, A P R Gidman 62, T J Murtagh 5-74), Surrey 2-1. Stratford: Warwicks 495-9 (M A Wagh 167, G B Hogg 56, I J L Trott 54, N V Knight 53) v Lancs.

Division Two The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 290 (M J Brown 81, C T Tremlett 57, S D Udal 50, S R G Francis 4-57, A R Caddick 4-75), Somerset 21-1. Trent Bridge: Notts 244-2 (J E R Gallian 101 no, K P Pietersen 92 no) v Derbys. Headingley: no play yesterday.