SEASIDERS’ duo David Trotter and Jim Ryall experienced the trip of a lifetime as they represented a Dorset & Wiltshire over-50s squad in the AJ Sports International Seniors exhibition tournament, held in the United Arab Emirates.

The Weymouth pair graced the top stadiums in the region in a tournament against the United Arab Emirates, a team from Surrey, Wales and a Rest of the World outfit.

“It was amazing really,” Trotter told Echosport. “We played at the Sevens Stadium, the Sharjah Stadium in a day-night game, and the Dubai International Stadium.

“You end up pinching yourself really. I managed to get a bowl at Dubai, I was meant to be 12th man but one of the batters was ill and it was surreal.

“I bowled out one of the guys from Wales and the strip next to me was one they were going to play a test match on.

“We turned up at Sharjah and the Pakistan and New Zealand teams were finishing and we went and played on their pitch after.”

The Dorset & Wiltshire team narrowly lost to Surrey in their opening contest but sealed two wins against Wales, in which there was a power cut during the sides’ day-night game.

“I was running in to bowl at about quarter to midnight, which was a bit odd,” Trotter added.

The Seasiders’ seamer also heaped praise on wicketkeeper/ batsman Ryall, who cashed in on the flat tracks on the tour.

He added: “Jim had a fantastic time, he got voted the man of our team and he deserved it.

“He took one of the best stumpings I have seen and he batted fantastically. Watching him score a 50 out there in nine overs and having to retire was a pleasure to watch.”