DORSET captain Stuart Rintoul was understandably "very disappointed" after Wiltshire cruised to an easy 10-wicket victory at Dean Park on Tuesday (Aug 19).

But despite the side having failed to notch up a championship victory in 2003, Rintoul still had nothing but praise for his player's performance as he reflected over the past season.

He said: "I don't think we've played that badly this year but very little has gone our way.

"We wouldn't have lost to Cheshire if we hadn't tried to go for the win and we were only just short in the run-chase with Devon.

"Against Oxfordshire, the rain came at a time when we had a great chance of victory."

In this final match of their Minor Counties Championship Western Division season, Dorset were again well poised, at 245 for one on Sunday, but collapsed to 293 all out.

After Wiltshire had scored 363, Dorset could manage only 119 in their second innings as Michael Coles ripped through the middle-order.

Rintoul said: "We were looking for a first innings lead but to finish on 293 was very disappointing.

"All credit to Wiltshire though, they've twice bowled very well at us.

"They put the ball in the right places, seamed it around and held their catches.

"Anything we got an edge on ended up in the wicketkeeper's gloves."

Wiltshire took just 30 minutes getting the 50 runs for victory yesterday morning, with openers Kevin Blackburn and John Chandler punishing the bowlers all around the ground to secure the rout.

Blackburn, who had starred with 151 in the first innings, again displayed flawless timing.

He found the boundary seven times as he smashed an unbeaten 30 from 21 balls.

Chandler also made his presence felt with 21 not out.

It was a hugely depressing way to end to the season for Rintoul, who opted to open the bowling himself alongside fellow part-timer Tim Lamb rather than utilise his true pace men.

Matthew Mixer was brought into the attack in the seventh over but faired no better, being plundered for 10 before Blackburn found the rope again from what proved to be Glyn Treagus' only ball of the morning.

Dorset have now failed to win a championship game since they won the title in its two-day format in 2000. They have certainly suffered since the league began experimenting with the three-day game.

Though that trial has now finished, Rintoul is convinced it will become a permanent modification.

He reluctantly said: "Everyone at Dorset Cricket Club would prefer to see it reverted back to two days.

"The longer game doesn't suit us and creates availability problems.

"I haven't had as settled a side as I would have liked this year but all we can do is give everything we've got and continue to tow the organisers' line."