CAMBRIDGESHIRE 235 lost to DORSET 236-8 by two wickets

DORSET manager Sean Walbridge praised the contributions of both Dan Belt and Matt Metcalfe following his side’s dramatic two-wicket victory over Cambridgeshire at Dean Park.

Dorchester all-rounder Belt took 3-39 before seeing his side home with a composed nine not out alongside Metcalfe, who blasted 10 boundaries in a fine knock of 88 to rescue Dorset’s innings and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the MCCA Trophy.

Following Cambridgeshire’s first innings total of 235 all out, the hosts had to dig deep in their run chase after being reduced to 65-5 by former Essex and Northants pace bowler Darren Cousins, who took 3-26.

Metcalfe came in with the south coast outfit staring a second successive group four defeat in the face but the powerful right-handed batsman turned the game around with a steady, but poised innings, as he plundered his highest score for Dorset in all competitions.

Metcalfe shared half-century partnerships with Chris Park (36) and Simon Watkins (33), and not even the latter’s run-out with the hosts still 60 runs short of their target could unsettle the big hitter.

He stuck to his task as the required run rate fell dramatically from eight runs an over to 4.50 with two to go, and with the help of debutant Mitchell Wilson (11) and Belt (9), he led Dorset to a sweet victory with just an over to spare.

Walbridge said: “With everything that happened on the day we had to show great character as a team and the lads delivered.

“Matt has really come on as an all-rounder for Dorset over the past couple of years. Last season he was superb with both bat and ball, and he is carrying it on this summer.

“His knock of 88 was something special and he had good help along the way, particularly from Simon Watkins and Dan Belt, who came in and hit a run of ball when the pressure was really on.

“Dan also did superbly with the ball taking 3-39. He is a bit of a golden arm in the way that you can turn to him for a wicket and he certainly played a big part as did Tom Hicks, who returned as captain.

“Tom took 3-33 but he also provided a cool head and gave a lot to the side in terms of leadership. As always he was Mr Reliable.”

Unfortunately for Dorset the victory has been tainted by the news that big-hitter Darren Cowley will miss the rest of the season due to a broken and dislocated ankle, which he sustained while playing football in the pre-match warm-up.

Walbridge added: “To be honest it was one of those games where everything was looking like it was going against us.

“We lost Max Waller to Somerset the night before and then Darren broke his ankle in the warm-up, which was another massive blow.

“Then, to make matters even worse, Ed Denham clashed with Dan in the field and suffered a toe injury that looks like it could keep him out for a while as well.

“As for Darren, our thoughts go out to him because it is quite a severe injury and he will probably now miss the rest of the season.”

When asked whether football will now be off the agenda in the pre-match preparations, Walbridge said: “I think that is something I will be talking to the coaches about.”