SHROPSHIRE 158 and 167 beat DORSET 71 and 157 by 97 runs

SEAN Walbridge has admitted his side’s title fight is over after a limp display with the bat saw Dorset crash to Shropshire by 97 runs.

Dorset needed 254 runs on the final day to keep their title dreams alive but their hopes of victory were soon dashed as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Uncompromising bowling from E Baylis (5-24) and Steve Taylor (3-48) in particular left the hosts on 94-9 and staring defeat in the face. A determined last-wicket partnership of 63 from Dave Payne and Paul Warren provided some consolation before Payne was caught for 46 off the bowling of A Gray to give Shropshire the win.

The defeat leaves Dorset 20 points behind Cornwall with one game left to play meaning they now require a miracle set of final day results to win the league.

Walbridge said: “Cornwall beat Devon so I think they are pretty much out of sight. It is disappointing from that point of view because we have had such a good season.

“We have to give credit to Shropshire. They bowled a lot better than us, they bowled a lot straighter and took some vital catches. It’s the first time in two or three seasons I can remember a side outbowling us because I think we have one of the strongest attacks in the league.

“On the other hand we batted really poorly and we dropped three vital catches. That probably cost us around 70 or 80 runs and in a game this tight, that was critical.

“We thought the wicket was good enough to win if we could get two or three large partnerships going but that didn’t prove to be because we batted poorly throughout the match.”

Dorset had a fantastic opportunity to take a substantial first innings lead after bowling Shropshire out for just 158 on the first day but could only a manage a measly 71 in reply. A fine second innings haul from Payne (5-35) and Simon Watkins (3-9), who notched six maidens, gave Dorset hope going into the final day but it wasn’t to be.

Walbridge said: “Pressure might have something to do with it. That is something we are going to have to analyse but I think it is a game where we simply didn’t perform with the bat.

“They say the sign of how good a team is is how they bounce back so we’ll be looking to do that against Wiltshire on August 23-25.”