MAX Waller plundered four wickets as Dorset ended the second day of an absorbing Minor Counties Championship final one run ahead of Lincolnshire at Dean Park yesterday.

But the spin king was still left disappointed with his effort after the Eastern Division winners were dismissed for 254 in reply to Dorset’s 245 all out on Sunday.

Lincolnshire, for whom ex-Notts batsman Vikram Atri struck a stylish 118 on a turning wicket, led by nine runs on first innings.

Dorset openers Nick Park (four) and debutante George Adolphus then safely negotiated two overs of their second innings to reach 10 without loss before rain made play impossible after tea.

Adolphus, the Brook batsman called up late to replace unavailable Chris Jones on absent Dorset skipper Tom Hicks’s recommendation, failed to get off the mark.

Six extras took the table-topping Western Division outfit’s tally into double figures as only one run split the sides in a tight tussle with two days remaining.

Waller, who finally had Atri caught superbly at slip by Darren Cowley after Lincolnshire’s number three had cracked 17 boundaries, ended with four for 96 from 31 overs.

It was the 27-year-old’s first championship century of the campaign and, departing on 215-9, he helped his side rally from a worrying 110-6 into the lead.

Tail-enders Alex Osmond (29), Brett Houston (21) and Aaron Onyon (17) joined forces with Yorkshire-born Atri to defy Dorset, for whom Ed Denham (2-15), Mitch Wilson (2-48), Glyn Treagus (1-10) and Jack Leach (1-57) also bagged wickets.

A concern for Dorset going into the second half of the game today will be the fitness of seamer Matt Metcalfe, who sustained a side strain after sending down just seven overs.

Metcalfe spent most of Lincoln-shire’s innings nursing his injury off the field and was replaced by 12th man James Park.

With James’ brothers Chris and Nick in Dorset’s starting line-up, it was believed to be the first post-war occasion that three siblings had been on the field during a game for the county at the same time.

Waller, who is on Somerset’s books, said: “I think I should have got six or seven for 70, that would have been good.

“But anyone taking four wickets as a leg spinner, and for them (Lincs) to be only nine ahead on first innings, has to be pleased.

“We’re in a decent position considering they bat last and it’s a turning pitch.

“The wicket is going to start to spin more as the game goes on, which is great for us as they bat fourth.

“If we can get a decent second innings score, I back us to bowl them out, especially with four spinners in our side,” added Waller.