Wales NC 376-8 & 272-6 (24pts) beat Dorset 374 - 9  & 273 a.o (7pts) by 4 wickets

Dorset suffered their first defeat of the NCAA three-day championship loosing by 4 wickets to Wales National County Ebbw Vale CC.

Luke Webb won the toss and opted to put Dorset into bat with the team finishing their first innings with 374-9 and Wales replied with 376.

The match was evenly poised going into the second innings with Dorset looking in a decent position after being bowled out for 273 by lunch on day three.

However, Wales scored quickly after a slow start to their second innings wrapping up the win with around half-an-hour of play left.

Back on day one, Dorset skipper Webb (31) was the first to fall from the bowling of William Moore (1-51), but by drinks the visitors were 88-1.

Seventeen-year-old Finn Gordon was in fine form and helped push Dorset on to 139-2 by lunch after Will Tripcony (35) was caught by Moore off the bowling of Tim Moses (1-77) in the 19th over.

Gordon reached his half century off 89 balls as Dorset reached 209-3 by afternoon drinks with Greg Willows on 27 (46) at the crease alongside Gordon on 80 (131).

After facing another 29 balls Gordon claimed a maiden NCAA championship century for Dorset.

Gordon (123) finally fell after being caught by Kurtis Marsh as Franco claimed his second wicket of the innings, leaving Dorset on 282-5 after 69.2 overs.

Several wickets then fell in quick succession putting Dorset on 309-7, but Alex Eckland's 63 pushed the side over 350 before Ed Bartlett's 29 from 33 balls got the team to 373-9 as Matt Burton added the final run on the last ball of the innings.

As Wales came out to bat in the final session of day 1 Burton (2-71) grabbed an early wicket removing Harry Friend (1) in the third over.

Dorset kept the pressure on reducing Wales to 40-2 overnight after Marsh (30) was dismissed by Burton.

As day two got underway, it was a fairly even morning session with Steffan Roberts (16) the only batter to be dismissed following a catch from Ben Rogers off Bartlett's (1-50) bowling.

Wales gathered themselves after lunch and kicked on though, getting to 237 for the loss of just two more wickets.

Brad Wadlan (25) and C R Nicholls (106) were removed by Henry Dunlop (2-32) and Finn Gordon (2-33) respectively.

Wales would finish their innings by tea, taking a lead of just two into the second innings with C L Herring posting an impressive 111 not out.

Dorset battled to 100-3 in the evening session.

First Will Tripcony (38) was dismissed by Moore (1-20), with the visitors on 55  after 11 overs.

Webb (54) and Gordon (41) then fell late in the day leaving Dorset 141-3 at stumps.

Dorset set about rebuilding their innings early on day three after losing those late wickets which took more time out of the game.

Webb's side would loose a further two wickets in the morning session going into drinks 200-5.

Three more wickets would fall before lunch as Alex Eckland (15) was bowled lbw by Wadlan (3-63), and Ben Rogers (14) and Connor Smith (6) were both dismissed by Franco (2-45) leaving Dorset on 230-8.

Shortly after lunch Dorset would be bowled out with Wales needing 272 to win the match.

Dorset came flying out of the blocks with the ball though, taking two quick wickets leaving Wales 4-2 after just 1.3 overs.

Roberts (21) was then caught behind by Rogers off a Burton (2-82) delivery leaving Wales' chances of victory in the balance as they sat on 25-3.

The home side pushed on though scoring quickly as Ayres hit 80 off 68 balls, alongside Wadlan's 71 from 79 deliveries.

Wadlan was the final Wales wicket to fall after being bowled lbw from Jacob Gordon (2-51), but having helped his team get to 253-6, Wales were able to get the final 19 runs needed for victory before the end of play.