DORSET 212 & 233 beat WALES MC 159 & 157 by 129 runs

SEAN Walbridge hailed the influence of captain fantastic Tom Hicks as Dorset swept majestically to the Minor Counties Western Division title.

Hicks starred with both bat and ball against Wales Minor Counties, finishing with championship-best figures of 10-94 and a second innings half-century as Walbridge’s men won by 129 runs.

That result, coupled with Berkshire’s three-wicket defeat in Cornwall, saw unbeaten Dorset claim the Western Division crown for the first time in 10 years.

Walbridge’s troops took just 4.2 overs of the final day to finish off the Principality, with Matt Metcalfe stealing some of the limelight from Hicks by taking the last three Welsh scalps required for victory.

Wales had started the final day 147 runs behind the hosts following an array of wickets on Monday at Dean Park.

Having dismissed the visitors for just 159 thanks to Hicks’ stunning figures of 7-54, Dorset’s second innings had started in a similar vein to their first.

Struggling on 45-4 after Alex Jones (6-55) had sent Dorset’s top four back to the pavilion with a devastating opening spell, Darren Cowley steadied the ship by following up his first innings 83 with 44 from 65 balls second time round.

Hicks then plundered 58 and Ed Denham 33 from just 35 balls to help Dorset reach 233.

Wales set about trying to reduce the arrears, but limped to 93-4 before eventually closing an eventful day on 134-7, Hicks continuing where he had left off on day one with overnight figures of 3-26.

Metcalfe then struck early on day three to mop up the tail and start the celebrations.

Walbridge, who watched Hicks become the third Dorset player this season to claim 10 wickets in a championship match, said: “It was very pleasing. It was great for Matt Metcalfe to get the final three wickets because he’d been a bit frustrated with the ball during the match.

“But Tom leapt past Matt to become leading wicket-taker for the season. He did what he has done all season which was to lead from the front with bat, ball and in the dressing room.

“I’m so pleased for him because it means a lot to him to play for Dorset and he really wants the team to do well. The lads have responded to him to all season long.”

Tuesday’s triumph was Dorset’s third championship win of the season, alongside draws against Berkshire, Shropshire and Cornwall.

Walbridge’s side also reached the quarter-final of the MCCA Knockout Trophy during a fruitful campaign.

The Dorset manager added: “This team has shown it is capable of winning a championship and really deserved to win one.

“We’ve gone through the whole season with only one competitive defeat and that was in the quarter-final of the cup.

“That says a lot about the character and spirit in the side and proves we are a really competitive side and one that is hard to beat.”

Dorset will now face Lincolnshire in the MCCA Championship final at their Dean Park headquarters on September 5-8.