DORSET have been set a mammoth 431 runs to beat Berkshire in their NCCA Championship clash at the Leaze, Wimborne.

Luke Webb's men closed the day strongly on 59-0, still 372 runs adrift and in an almost identical situation to yesterday's close, when they trailed by 374 runs.

Beginning the second day on 29-2, Dorset found the going tough and were reduced to 98-6 as only Oli Soames (21) and Sam Young (32) proved stubborn on a warm day.

Andy Rishton (2-27) and Euan Woods (2-47) did much of the damage until hearty knocks of 29 from James Trodd and an unbeaten 34 from Charlie Gwynn pushed Dorset along.

READ MORE: Dorset trail Berkshire by 374 runs after day one

However, with spin playing an increasingly important part, leg-spinner Rhodri Lewis (5-43) swept up the tail to claim a fifer and dismiss Dorset for 179.

Berkshire opted to bat again, building on a significant 224-run lead, although Dorset removed first-innings centurion Savin Perera (15) cheaply through Ben Fletcher (1-11).

Archie Carter (20) fell to the left-arm spin of Gwynn (1-74) but the next three batters all chalked up half-centuries.

Euan Woods (50 off 66) and Tom Scriven (51no off 76) scored comparatively slowly when set against the explosive Dan Lincoln.

Berkshire's skipper, who also captained England to European Championship glory last year, plundered an unbeaten 50 from 26 balls, including five sixes, before declaring on 206-3.

However, with Berkshire looking to make inroads before the close, Dorset made serene progress as Soames (39no) and debutant Will Tripcony (12no) held their own but the hosts face an improbable task to earn a result from the game.