NOTTS' game at Taunton may have petered out into a tame draw but the form of Scott Newman on debut has not gone unnoticed.

The opening batsman was signed on loan from Surrey to bolster a faltering top order.

And the 29-year-old right-hander responded with an important first innings knock of 87, helping Notts to 356 all out along with Chris Read (98) and Mark Ealham (64 not out).

Director of cricket Mick Newell was impressed with what he saw at Taunton after seeing the likes of Will Jefferson, Matt Wood, Bilal Shafayat and Alex Hales struggle to score runs first up.

And he says the club may look to sign Newman permanently if the rest of his initial one-month deal goes well.

"Considering the previous highest score from an opening batsman all season was 34, it was a good effort to go out and score that 87," said Newell.

"The other players have had eight games to make their mark and he has come in to do it straight away.

"It was a rare opportunity for us to sign someone halfway through a season.

"He has certainly made an impact but now we will get through the rest of the month and have a look at it.

"But if he enjoys it, and clearly Surrey don't want him, then he could be signing for us."

Skipper Read narrowly missed out on a third century of the season.

But he is still having a terrific season with the bat, averaging 63.11 thanks to 568 runs from nine matches.

Newell said: "I think Ready is batting outstandingly well and to average over 50 for a wicket-keeper is a great effort.

"I think the thing he has done better this season is put his scores together.

"Sometimes in the past he has not done it week in, week out, scoring big runs one time and then getting out cheaply the next.

"But this season his consistency has been excellent."

Notts ended up with ten points to Somerset's 12 as the flat pitch had the final say at Taunton.

"I think from where we were at the end of the second day, when it was clear we weren't in a position to win the game, you have to try to take as many bonus points as you can," said Newell.

"It keeps us close to Somerset and there were some good batting performances while Andre Adams, Ryan Sidebottom and Mark Ealham bowled well."

Yesterday's final day was effectively batting practice for Somerset as they racked up 344-2 declared.

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick, the leading run scorer in County Championship Division One, fell just one short of a century before he was dismissed by Samit Patel.

But Arul Suppiah did go to three figures, as he hit a career-best 151.

Suppiah shared an opening stand of 229 with Trescothick but it was all pretty meaningless.

Suppiah moved serenely to his second century of the season off 175 balls. He reached it with a six over long-on off Patel and also struck 13 fours.

The 200 partnership came up in the 58th over and it seemed only a matter of time before Trescothick joined his partner in three figures.

But, after failing to pierce the field for four deliveries on 99, he lofted the next from Patel straight to Darren Pattinson at mid-off.

Suppiah passed his previous best score of 131, made against Yorkshire at Taunton this season, and had just reached his 150 off 256 balls, with a six and 20 fours, when he was bowled having a big swing at the occasional left-arm spin of Adam Voges.