DORSET 201 lost to HAMPSHIRE 274-9 by 62 runs (DLS revised target)

DORSET performed admirably despite losing their NCCA Showcase clash with Hampshire by 62 runs at Wimborne.

Two Dorset batters – Joseph Eckland and Sam Young – made half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Rob Pack took four wickets to bag the hosts’ best figures of the match.

This prestige game against a professional county served as ideal preparation for Dorset’s NCCA Trophy semi-final against Berkshire on Sunday.

Home skipper Luke Webb won the toss and fielded first, a decision that paid dividends early on when Ollie Breckon (3-55) clean bowled Hants’ captain Nick Gubbins (27).

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Dorset had Hampshire in a tangle at 75-3 when David Scott (1-50) removed Aneurin Donald (30) and Simon Woodruff ran out Fletcha Middleton (0).

However, England Under-19 skipper Tom Prest, who has played regularly for Dorset this season, began to unleash the shackles for his parent county, taking them to 148-3.

He received good support from Toby Albert (39), although his departure began a Dorset fightback courtesy of the excellent Pack.

Bowling with his usual strict line and guile, Pack claimed a fabulous 4-48 from his ten overs, including the wickets of fellow Dorset star Felix Organ (10) and Prest, who perished for 87 from 98 balls.

Dominic Kelly (34) and Jack Campbell (11no) both hit boundaries late on as Hampshire pushed on to 274-9.

With the elements briefly interrupting the game, Dorset were set a revised 263 to win from 46 overs but found former Dorset star Scott Currie in top form.

He accounted for Webb (2) and Scott (4) before Organ (2-10) cut off the hosts’ fightback by removing Oli Soames (28) and Alex Eckland (1).

Young and Joseph Eckland (both 51) dug deep to give Dorset a platform at 171-5, batting beautifully with nine fours and a six between them.

However, Currie gave Dorset a reminder of his talent by snaring 5-48 as he helped mop up the tail along with Campbell (2-36) as the hosts slipped to 201 all out.

Dorset visit Berkshire on Sunday (11am) for a place in the NCCA Trophy final.