TOM Hicks produced a captain’s display as Dorset dramatically snatched the Minor Counties Championship Western Division title from the hands of Berkshire.

The skipper claimed a 10-wicket haul as his side thrashed Wales by 129 runs in their final match of the season.

Meanwhile, Berkshire failed to capitalise on starting the day at the top as they crumbled to defeat at Cornwall, who had drawn with Dorset in a rain-affected match a fortnight ago.

Having been put into bat at Dean Park, Sean Walbridge’s troops had reason to worry after their first innings as they were dismissed for 212 – with only Nick Park (54) and the hard-hitting Darren Cowley (83) doing any substantial damage.

However, Hicks replied with the ball for the home side with an astonishing 28-over spell of 7-54, while Mitch Wilson (3-32) also aided the demise of the Welsh for 159.

Hicks (58) and Cowley (44) then rescued Dorset’s second innings from 45-4 to set the visitors a target of 287 runs to win.

The skipper (3-40) was amongst the wickets again, while Glyn Treagus (2-32) and Ed Denham (1-27) also produced vital bowling spells to put the home side on the brink of victory.

But it was Matt Metcalfe (3-27) who claimed the final and title-winning wicket as Chris Park caught John Glover.