DORSET manager Sean Walbridge is backing his side to lift the MCCA Western Division crown and insists it would be “no less than they deserve”.

The Dean Park outfit allowed Berkshire – who beat Shropshire – to reclaim pole position ahead of the final round of matches after playing out a rain-affected draw against Cornwall at St Austell.

Following a first-day washout, Dorset amassed 314 thanks largely to a maiden century from Aaron Williams (102) and 91 from fellow opener Nick Park.

In reply, skipper Tom Hicks returned figures of 3-70 as Cornwall surpassed the visitors’ tally by two runs – but the previous adverse weather had put paid to any chance of either team forcing a result.

Despite relinquishing top spot, Walbridge remains optimistic that his charges could secure the title if they overturn lowly Wales MC in their final fixture, starting on August 15.

Reflecting on the Cornwall stalemate, Walbridge said: “It was very frustrating because a win would have taken us a long way to winning the division.

“We lost the first day and pretty much the morning session on Tuesday to rain. The two captains tried to put something together but an agreement couldn’t be reached, so we decided to play for bonus points.

“To come out of the match with 11 points was okay. Nick and Aaron were fantastic at the top of the order, although we probably didn’t capitalise as much as we should have.

“Getting to 325 would have earned us maximum batting points but because we had lost so much time to the weather, we decided to try to score quickly in order to set the game up for a victory.

“I was really pleased with how we bowled on the final day after not doing so well on Monday evening. Tom Hicks led from the front and was well supported.”

Having witnessed their attributes at first hand, Walbridge believes unbeaten Corn-wall will present Berkshire with a stern examination when the two face-off at Truro.

And anything but a Berkshire victory would open the door for Dorset, who will enter their crunch battle at their Bournemouth headquarters full of confidence and ready to make history.

Walbridge added: “We have been working towards this for the last three years, finishing fifth and fourth over the past two seasons.

“We have won both our games at Dean Park this season so we are really looking forward to it and know that we will be tough to stop if we play as we have done – we are making strides all the time.

“We will concentrate on working to our plans and doing what we have done all season. Then we will see what happens between Berkshire and Cornwall.

“There is a great bunch of lads here who are very committed to Dorset and they are a pleasure to work with. If we did win the title, it would be no less than they deserve.”