WILTSHIRE 321-6 & 132-5 (11pts) drew with DORSET 312-9 (9pts)

ALAN Willows chose to focus on the positives after Dorset’s bid for victory in their opening three-day clash of the season was dashed by heavy rain.

The home side looked in severe danger at the end of day one but recovered remarkably well on the following day to leave the Minor Counties Western Division match finely poised.

However, the final day at Dean Park proved a no-go as the wet weather swept in, forcing both sides to settle for a draw.

Dorset coach Willows said: “It was set up for a tremendous last day but we were unfortunate with the weather.

“Both sides felt they could win the game but from our point of view there were some positives, particularly with them being 216-1 in the first innings and only getting 321 off their 90 overs.

“We showed a lot of spirit to contain them to 321 as they could easily have reached 370 or 380.

“Unfortunately we lost a wicket at the end of the first day to leave us on 81-2, and at 119-5 we were struggling a bit.

“But Tom Hicks and Chris Park batted beautifully after lunch to help get us to within nine of their total.

“Jack Leach and Ed Denham also did well and it was a tremendous effort to get as close as we did from the position we were in.

“We bowled nicely in the second innings to have them at 132-5 and all the bowlers contributed.”

Captain Tom Hicks was arguably Dorset’s top performer, claiming four wickets in total and plundering 65 runs.

Dorset’s next outing is a trip to Cheshire on June 17 in the quarter-finals of the MCCA Trophy.