DORSET pinched a dramatic one-run win against Bournemouth in Sunday's 50-over Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy warm-up at Chapel Gate - despite Sean Walbridge, their new captain, dismissing four of his would-be Minor Counties Championship teammates! (April 25)

Top scorer Glyn Treagus, Neil Thurgood, Chris Park and Chris Knight all perished against the left-arm spin of Walbridge, who played for his Southern Electric Premier League club, Bournemouth instead of Dorset, whom he captains this summer.

"Dorset had seven front-line bowlers, so I reasoned it would be more beneficial to play for Bournemouth and bowl at some of our top order batsmen," he explained.

He finished with a pleasing 4-39 return off ten overs as Dorset just managed to defend 207-6 off 50 overs.

Both Walbridge and Richard Scott, the Bournemouth captain, were well satisfied with the run-outs their respective sides enjoyed in the sun, especially with important cup and league games just around the corner.

Dorset face Yorkshire - Australia duo Darren Lehmann, Ian Harvey et al - in the C & G Trophy at Dean Park on May 5, while Bournemouth open their Premier League challenge at champions BAT Sports this Saturday.

"We managed to get 22 guys fully involved in a competitive environment and both Scotty and myself had an ideal chance to watch quite a few potential newcomers show their potential," Walbridge added.

Lymington's Glyn Treagus looked in good early season nick, hitting a six and 11 fours in an accomplished 79 before falling at 169-3.

He enjoyed a fruitful 99-run opening partnership with Bashley-Rydal's Neil Thurgood (27) and then 45 with Chris Park (26), who is seeking to regain a niche in the professional game after his release from the Northants Academy.

Walbridge gradually created inroads as Dorset lost wickets in the scramble for runs and closed at 207-6 off 50 overs.

The new Dorset captain will have been impressed with the performances of several new pace bowlers.

Martin Ford, who has just joined Poole & Poole OGs after playing Second XI cricket for Somerset last season, Colehill's New Zealand import Elliott Brookes, Havant's Richard Pineo and Rup Kitzinger, from Guildford, all caught the eye, giving Walbridge an increased amount of options for the season ahead.

Likewise, Grant Mather and former Sidmouth captain Adrian Skirrow, who struck a forceful 38, have the undoubted potential to make their mark in the Premier League this summer.

Bournemouth always looked capable of winning the game, but - often unnecessarily - lost wickets at the wrong time. Brookes and Kitzinger (both 3-41) cashed in.

At the end, Martin Miller (30) was on the brink of guiding Bournemouth to victory, but on 206-9, fell leg before to a delivery from Kitzinger that appeared to be going wide of the stumps.