SEAN Walbridge believes his side are “in with a great chance of qualifying” for the knockout stages of the MCCA Trophy after pulling off a fantastic 32-run victory over Bedfordshire at Dunstable Town Cricket Club.

Dorset’s hopes of progressing from group three looked dead and buried after back-to-back defeats against Oxfordshire and Herefordshire but if they can beat Hertfordshire this Sunday at Dorchester Rec they could still sneak through.

Walbridge said: “It was an excellent win and a fantastic all-round team effort.

“We needed a morale-boosting display and the lads delivered it with some fantastic standout performances, particularly from Max Waller with both bat and ball.

“To get 254 was really good and to then peg them back after they had began their innings like a steam train was absolutely superb.

“They hit 49 off the first seven overs but thanks to some great fielding and superb bowling from Max, Mark Wolstenholme, Matt Metcalfe and Ed Denham, we pulled it back and are now in with a great chance of qualifying.

“If we beat Hertfordshire at Dorch-ester Rec on Sunday it will give us every opportunity of going above Oxfordshire into second place and I am sure that is going to be a fantastic match now.

“With so much riding on it, hopefully it will catch the public’s interest and they will turn out in force to get behind us.

“We are certainly looking forward to returning to Dorchester and I know the lads cannot wait to try and build on this performance.”

Debutant Wolstenholme picked up 1-39 off eight overs with the ball but Walbridge is adamant those figures did not reflect his overall contribution.

He added: “Mark bowled very well indeed and a lot better than his figures suggest.

“He settled into the team superbly and I have no doubts he will prove a great addition to the squad, not just for this year but for many more to come.”

Waller was undoubtedly the leading light for Dorset, scoring 66 not out before snaring 1-24 off 10 overs with the ball.

However, a lot of credit must also go to Chris Jones (42), Chris Park (46) and Matt Metcalfe (3-31) who also made vital contributions.

Martin Weightman (3-43 & 73) starred for Bedfordshire but there was nothing he could do to stop his side from collapsing from 63-2 to 87-6, which all but ended their chances despite a decent effort from the tailenders.