DORSET are set to take their chance in a new Minor Counties competition.

The Unicorns T20 sees each county play eight games, comprising four double-headers against the same opposition on the same day.

Dorset open their campaign by hosting Wiltshire at Bashley on Sunday, May 6 (noon and 4pm).

They then face Devon at Sidmouth on Monday, May 7 (noon and 4pm) before entertaining Wales at Wimborne’s headquarters at the Leaze on Sunday, May 27 (12.30pm and 4.30pm).

Their final group matches are against Cornwall at St Austell on Sunday, June 3 (12.30pm and 4.30pm), with the group winners qualifying for finals day at Wormsley on Sunday, August 26.

The new-look T20 will run alongside the Unicorns Knockout Trophy, which will become a straight elimination competition rather than played in groups.

Dorset, who finished third in Group One last season, will host Cornwall at North Perrott in the first round on Sunday, April 29 (11am) with the winners travelling to Berkshire in the quarter-finals on Sunday, May 20.

Third in the Western Division last season, Dorset start their Unicorn Championship programme against Wiltshire at Sherborne School on Sunday, June 24.

They then visit Oxfordshire and Cheshire before hosting Shropshire at Chapel Gate in August. Following a trip to Devon, Dorset complete their campaign against Berkshire at North Perrott.

Meanwhile, the likes of Dorchester’s Simon Mitchem and Portland Red Triangle’s Simon Proffitt will get their Dorset Leopards campaign underway against a Dorset League XI at Wimborne on Saturday, April 28.

Dorchester Rec hosts the Leopards v MCC on Thursday, May 31 before they play Wiltshire at Swanage on Sunday, June 10.

The Leopards host Devon Lions at Hamworthy Rec on Sunday, July 15 before finishing against Gloucs Academy at North Perrott on Sunday, August 26.

Dorset friendlies: April 8 – Wiltshire T20 (South Wilts, 11am), April 14 – Bashley and Havant T20 (Bashley, 11am), April 22 – Somerset 2nds (Taunton Vale, 11am), July 3 – Somerset T20 (North Perrott, 5.30pm).Unicorns T20: May 6 – Wiltshire (Bashley, noon and 4pm), May 7 – Devon (Sidmouth, noon and 4pm), May 27 – Wales (Wimborne, 12.30pm and 4.30pm), June 3 – Cornwall (St Austell, 12.30pm and 4.30pm). Unicorns KO Trophy: April 29 – Cornwall (North Perrott, 11am). Unicorns Championship: June 24-26 – Wiltshire (Sherborne School, 11am), July 8-10 – Oxfordshire (Banbury, 11am), July 22-24 – Cheshire (Nantwich, 11am), Aug 5-7 – Shropshire (Bournemouth, 11am), Aug 19-21 – Devon (Sidmouth, 11am), Sept 2-4 – Berkshire (North Perrott, 10.30am). Leopards: April 28 – Dorset League XI (Wimborne, 11am), May 31 – MCC (Dorchester, 11am), June 10 – Wiltshire (Swanage, 11am), July 15 – Devon Lions (Ham Rec, 11am), Aug 26 – Gloucs Academy (North Perrott, 11am).