CORNWALL 277-7 lost to DORSET 278-8 by two wickets

DORSET impressively chased down 278 in a last-ball thriller against Cornwall to get their NCCA Trophy Group Two campaign off to the perfect start at Werrington.

Ed Ellis (56no) and Rob Wigley (8no) held their nerve as Dorset successfully chalked up the 11 required runs from a tense final over.

Earlier, Dorset captain Luke Webb won the toss and elected to field, Cornwall spearheading their line-up with Somerset all-rounder Lewis Goldsworthy.

The 20-year-old Cornishman scored a patient 52 from 80 balls, including five fours and a six, to lay the foundations for an imposing score.

Cornwall were well-placed on 112-2 but Dorset spinner Rob Pack (4-32) bowled his side into a strong position.

The Bournemouth man accounted for Goldsworthy, Thomas Wells (20), James Turpin (3) and Scott Harvey (24), reducing the hosts to 179-6.

However, a counter-attacking unbeaten 94 from 63 balls by Paul Smith, containing seven fours and seven sixes, helped the Crows reach 277-7 from 50 overs.

In reply, Dorset steadied the ship after losing Oli Soames to a golden duck as Tommy Sturgess (2-53) struck.

Hampshire Academy men Felix Organ (36) and Harry Came (60) were pivotal in setting the platform, assisted by Webb’s 55.

Cornwall fought back in the middle overs, dismissing all three men to expose Ellis with the tail.

A rollercoaster contest boiled down to a chase of 29 runs from three overs, Ellis going on to register his half-century under immense pressure.

Pack (12) smashed a valuable six at the death before holing out off Daniel Lello (3-51), leaving Wigley and Ellis with work to do.

But both batsmen rose to the task, hitting a four off Sturgess and two singles completed the job as Dorset prevailed in the tightest of finishes.