Dane Paterson led the attack with his seventh five-wicket haul for Nottinghamshire as the hosts made strong inroads into the Essex line up on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship at Trent Bridge.
The South African seamer’s haul included the wicket of compatriot Dean Elgar who made 80, as Essex concluded 244/9.
Elgar was only beaten for runs by Jordan Cox, 84, whilst Dillon Pennington claimed his first scalp in Green and Gold, and Lyndon James and Calvin Harrison both opened their account for the season.
Having won the toss, the third wicket partnership of 112 between Elgar and Cox proved the major obstacle to Notts progress throughout the day.
The pair came together after Feroze Khushi handed Pennington his and Notts’ opener, caught by Matt Montgomery at first slip, and Tom Westley nicked Paterson to wicketkeeper Joe Clarke diving to his right.
Elgar proved typically watchful, though, punishing full lengths when the opportunity arose whilst Jordan Cox played foil, asserting himself with the sole six of the day off the spin of Calvin Harrison.
But when Paterson broke the partnership in the 47th over with 170 on the board - clipping the left-handers bail with an inch perfect seam delivery - three more followed within 10 overs.
He first trapped Matt Critchley in front for one before finding Walter's edge and uprooting Rossington’s off stump.
Cox’s hopes of a debut hundred were thwarted as the session wore on, perishing when Harrison turned one past his defensive bat to bowl him.
All-rounder Lyndon James, meanwhile, dismissed Simon Harmer and Shane Snater to give Nottinghamshire three bowling points, with Essex still looking for a first batting point.