JUBLIANT skipper Chris Park hailed his Dorset team-mates after they had booked their place in the quarter-finals of the MCCA Knockout Trophy.

Dorset set up a last-eight clash with Wiltshire after topping their group despite suffering a 26-run defeat at the hands of Devon in a match reduced to 21 overs per side at Bashley.

A rain-affected contest left Dorset chasing a formidable 171 for victory after Devon’s total of 154- 6 had been increased under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

However, having won their opening three games, Dorset knew they would only require 121 to go through as group winners due to a superior run-rate.

An opening stand of 64 between Masoor Khan (41) and Lewis Mc- Manus (31) paved the way for them to pass the lower target with ease, even if 171 was out of their reach.

Dorset will host Wiltshire at North Perrott on Sunday, June 12, while Devon edged out Cornwall for runners-up spot and face a mammoth trip to Cumberland.

Captain Park said: “We knew the forecast was for rain so it was fantastic to get a game in. We got close and were disappointed we didn’t get closer.

“We felt the game was there to be won with five overs left but, unfortunately, for whatever reason, we didn’t have a go at it which was a bit of a shame.

“Duckworth-Lewis was probably in their favour. To chase 171 in 21 overs at any time of the year is quite an ask so to get 140 was pleasing. The target we always had in mind was 121 because that was our safety net. We did that quite comfortably so are really pleased to get a home tie in the quarter-final. It has been a fantastic one-day competition for us so far and we are looking forward to the next round.”

Victory over Berkshire, Cornwall and Oxfordshire in their first three group games saw Dorset match the number of wins they had registered in the previous four years in the competition.

Park added: “It probably felt like that as well but went unnoticed.

It was an area we had been aware of and, last year, we made a conscious decision to try to improve our one-day cricket.

“For one reason or another, it didn’t happen last year. But having Lewis McManus and Max Waller in the side has been a massive boost to the dressing room.”

Bashley’s Sam Thomson (3-44) claimed the bowling plaudits for Dorset, while Michael Porter (28no) and Ryan Scott (21) took up the batting mantle after Khan