SEAN Walbridge is backing Dorset to bounce back from their frustrating four-run defeat against Oxford-shire in the MCCA Knockout Trophy by winning their next three group games.

The county manager described the encounter at Challow & Childrey as a “great advert for Minor Counties cricket” but admitted he was disappointed to see his men fall just short.

Thanks to a fantastic century from Nathan Hawkes (140), Oxford-shire set Dorset a challenging target of 294 for victory and then managed to hold their nerve thanks to a crucial fifer from Luke Ryan (5-46).

Walbridge said: “It was a fantastic game but to chase down such a big total and just miss out was disappointing.

“We just kept losing wickets at regular intervals and did not put together that one big partnership to take us over the line.

“I thought in their innings we did well to peg them back because at one stage they were on course for well over 300.

“But you have to give Oxfordshire enormous credit for holding on towards the end and take your hat off to Hawkes and Ryan, who clearly proved the difference on the day.

“Every time Ryan came back into the attack he kept taking wickets at crucial times and I think the run out of Nick Park was a big turning point as well.

“However, we still managed to get back in it with Mitch Wilson producing some big shots towards the end of the innings to take it down to the final over when we needed 10 to win but could not quite get there.

“It was very frustrating at the end but I have no doubts that if we continue to play like that and just work on a couple of key areas we can bounce back and win our next three games.”

Dorset’s next clash in the competition will see them host Herefordshire at Red-lands on May 15 and with the West Midlands outfit having already toppled Hertford-shire, victory is a must.

Walbridge added: “We know we can perform better and if we can sharpen up in the field and bowl tighter lines in the early stages and I am confident we can beat anyone.

“We are certainly looking forward to coming down to Weymouth again and hopefully there will be a big crowd there to get behind us.

“John Cake and the guys down there are working really hard on the pitch and we know it will be a good wicket from what we experienced there last year.

“We really enjoy playing in both Weymouth and Dorch-ester, and we will be going all out to put on a show for all those that come out and watch.”

Dorset will appear in the county town on June 5 when they host Hertfordshire at the Rec.