DORSET 217 lost to WILTSHIRE 221-7 by three wickets

SCHOOLBOY errors cost Dorset victory against Wiltshire at Warminster on Sunday, according to captain Chris Park.

Dropped catches and run-outs hindered the Dean Park side as they fell to their second successive Unicorns Knockout Trophy Group One defeat.

Winning the toss and batting first, Dorset opener Masoor Khan top-scored for the visitors with 68 from 88 balls before running himself out when batting with skipper Park. Chris Jones also surrendered his wicket to a run-out after making 32.

“I was batting with Mas at the time and we were starting to get the momentum back. He had a bit of a bizarre moment and got himself run out,” Park told Echosport.

“Chris Jones was involved in a silly run-out which he will hold his hands up to.

“To lose who you could say is your professional batter and the top-scorer to schoolboy errors is slightly annoying if I’m honest.”

Dorset posted 217 from 46.1 overs but Wiltshire showed their intent from the off, getting to 49-0 after just four overs bowled.

And while debutant legspinner Jem Warner pulled things back for Park’s men with figures of 2-30 from 10 overs, coupled with Sam Thomson’s 2-34, Dorset failed to close the game out after the hosts lost former Hampshire wicketkeeper Michael Bates to the bowling of James Hayman.

Park added: “Ash Morrison, the lad who batted at eight for them, was dropped on nought at deep square leg. He was their last real recognised batter.

“We dropped two easy catches in the innings and another that was a half chance, they were absolutely crucial and if we had taken them we would have won the game.”

Morrison went on to guide Wiltshire home with an unbeaten 44 alongside Nick Harrison (20).

“The game slipped away from us and we did try everything to get those last wickets,” the Dorset captain said.

“We lost a lot of momentum and energy from the start of the innings. With your two seam bowlers smashed out of the attack, you are fighting a losing battle.”