SENSATIONAL. That is the word to describe Dorset’s nerve-shredding 111-110 triumph in the Atherley Trophy at Nottingham.

In the mother of all finals Dorset – yes, little eight-club Dorset – emerged as national county champions for the first time after all but their most diehard supporters had thought the match against Norfolk was a lost cause.

Level on 77 apiece just after the 15-end mark Dorset floundered at a vital stage and were outscored 23-3 as Norfolk surged 100-80 ahead with just 21 ends remaining across the green.

Even with eight ends to go the margin was still 109-92. Norfolk – Atherley winners or runners-up four times in the past 14 seasons – had one hand plus a couple of fingers on the trophy.

But Dorset refused to throw in the towel. They stayed focused with grim determination and their never-say-die spirit brought rich rewards and renewed hope. The glorious fightback that will be remembered by all who witnessed it had begun.

A treble from Sheila Baker coupled with a Penny Cresswell four and a Sue Hosking single on their final ends plus 20th-end contributions from Annette Hallett (four) and Vivienne Mansell (three) slashed the deficit to two.

At that point Joan Halliwell, who had been given a torrid time by Sue Batchelor, rose to the occasion with her two best deliveries of the day – both smack on the jack on her 21st end to level matters at 109-109. The Dorset contingent were delirious.

That left just Mansell and Hallett to complete their final ends. With the destination of the national trophy resting on their shoulders both were coolness itself and if there was much churning inside, it did not show. The Ice Women had cometh.

Mansell, who was down at the head when she stepped on to the mat, produced two gems and when her opposite number could do nothing about it Dorset were 111-109 in front.

Hallett, who was also one down at the head, could not alter things either which left Norfolk skip Christine Webb with the last bowl of the day in the hope of gaining a second shot to save the East Anglians.

You could have heard a pin drop as she delivered her wood towards the far end of the green but the silence was broken by Hallett’s rink raising their arms in celebration as Webb fell short. Then all hell broke loose among the Dorset players and their fans. As for Norfolk their stunned faces said it all.

After such an epic journey that had begun with a first-round victory against Devon five months ago this was Dorset’s finest hour. The emotion poured forth with many moist eyes – including mine – amid the unconfined joy.

Dorset: champions of England. Sounds good, doesn’t it?