ACE spinner Jack Leach shrugged off his dynamic 13-wicket debut haul for Dorset by praising the poise of wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Park instead.

The 19-year-old left arm slow bowler plundered 7-70 as Herefordshire, resuming on their overnight score of 203-6, were quickly bundled out for 232 in their second innings at Dean Park yesterday.

It meant Leach, who had taken 6-78 as Herefordshire were dismissed for 230 in their first innings, bagged remarkable match figures of 13-148 in 61.1 overs.

But, despite producing a performance believed to be a Dorset best on debut, he modestly steered the spotlight firmly in Park’s direction after his unbeaten 49 guided them to a tense three-wicket win.

Set 143 to triumph on the final day of an absorbing Minor Counties Champion-ship encounter, they appeared to be coasting to victory on 32 without loss.

But Herefordshire spinners Daniel Vernon (4-43) and Char-lie Griffiths (3-38) set Dorset’s pulses racing by grabbing six wickets for 33 as they slumped to 65-6.

Leach, out for a duck first time round, helped Park steady the ship with a vital seventh-wicket partnership of 34.

Then, when Leach departed for seven, Ed Denham (17no) joined Park and they saw title-chasing Dorset to a second successive championship win.

Leach, who plays for Taun-ton Deane, said: “I know I took 13 wickets, but Chris’ batting was simply awesome. Without him we wouldn’t have won the match.

“Not only did he keep it all together for us in our second innings, but he and the rest of the tail managed to get us up to 320 in the first innings so we had a lead going into the second innings, which was crucial.

“I didn’t expect to take 13 wickets, even though Dorset coach Alan Willows said Dean Park tends to favour spin when he asked me to play.

“They were perfect conditions for bowling spin, so I’m more than happy with 13.”

Leach bagged the most wickets on debut for Dorset since Sean Walbridge grabbed 9-32 against Cornwall in Dorchester in 1991.

Minor Counties competitions’ secretary Philip August believes Leach’s figures could be a championship best on debut, but confirmed official records are not kept.