DORSET 185 lost to HEREFORDSHIRE 186-5 by five wickets

A CATASTROPHIC collapse saw Dorset lose four wickets for just 20 runs as Herefordshire cantered to a comfortable MCCA Knockout Trophy triumph at Redlands.

Having won the toss, the hosts appeared to be in good nick on 35-0 but when Chris Mole (13) edged a delivery from Ed Baylis (3-36) into the gloves of Steve Adshead in the eighth over it triggered a huge downturn despite the efforts of Nick Park (84 not out).

Glyn Treagus (2), Darren Cowley (0) and Chris Park (1) all came and went to leg before decisions in the space of just 10 balls before James Park (0) was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Boroughs (1-39).

Suddenly Dorset found themselves deep in the mire on 70-5 with Nick Park still searching for assistance.

Skipper Tom Hicks (14) looked like he might provide that much-needed support but once again Herefordshire struck through Faisal Shahid (2-29) to assume complete command.

Dorset now required a massive rearguard action from the lower order and when Simon Watkins (20 off 30 balls) began finding the boundary alongside Nick Park, the landscape of the game appeared to be changing.

The pair put on 51 in 11.5 overs before Watkins found the hands of Nick Powell off Brad Wadlan (3-5) to end the home side’s resurgence.

Matt Metcalfe (4) and Ed Denham (0) then failed to fire before Dorchester’s Dan Belt (9) shared a last-wicket stand of 30 with Nick Park before being cleaned up by the impressive Wadlan in the 48th over to bring the innings to a close.

Despite falling 50 runs short of a competitive total, Dorset still believed they had a chance at lunch so when David Exall (0) nicked a ball from Matt Metcalfe through to Chris Park in the opening over of Herefordshire’s reply it appeared the momentum was beginning to shift.

However, Wadlan (52) and Adshead (65) had very different ideas as they put on a stand of 82 for the second wicket to frustrate Dorset even further.

Hicks (1-40) eventually accounted for Wadlan but Herefordshire continued to look assured despite losing Burroughs (10) soon after to Watkins (1-12).

That dismissal left the visitors requiring 83 off 27.2 overs with seven wickets in hand and thanks to another fine partnership of 65 between Adshead and Shahid (38) they got there with ease.

With the result now no longer in doubt, both batsmen attempted to finish the innings with a flourish with a few more expansive shots, and although they lost their wickets, Powell (6 not out) and Baylis (4 not out) were on hand to complete the job in the 44th over.

The defeat leaves Dorset’s hopes of qualifying from group three in tatters having also lost their opening game of the competition against Oxfordshire.

However, victories over Bed-fordshire and Hertfordshire in their two remaining games could yet be enough although they would still need other results to go their way.

The Minor Counties champions travel to Bedfordshire on May 29 before hosting Hertfordshire at Dorchester Rec on June 5.