DORSET’S Unicorns T20 fate hangs in the balance after a mixed day of competition against Cornwall in St Austell.

Jigar Naik’s men cruised to a five-wicket victory in the opening match thanks largely to an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 38 between Alex Eckland (33no) and Ed Denham (22no).

In the afternoon clash, Dorset posted 136-5 as Luke Webb (50) scored the only fifty of the day.

The visitors had looked set to record two wins as Cornwall required 23 off the final two overs, but Matt Rowe (33 off 44) and James Turpin (10 off five) guided the hosts to a tense last-ball triumph to leave Dorset’s chances of progression to T20 finals day out of their hands.

Naik’s side must hope that Devon lose at least one of their final two games against Wales on Sunday, June 17.

Cornwall can still cement top spot via net run rate, but must win their remaining two games and hope Devon’s results go their way.

It was a galling end result for Dorset, who had looked so impressive throughout both encounters with the Crows.

Josh McCoy was undoubtedly the star performer for the away side in the first match, taking 3-15 in limiting Cornwall to a modest total of 116-7.

The Dorset bowler had removed Thomas Rowe (13) and Sam Wood (5), while Somerset man Peter Trego (12) also fell cheaply as Cornwall limped to 40-4 from 7.2 overs.

Dangerman Matt Rowe (41) led the recovery alongside the attacking Paul Smith, the duo amassing 56 for the fifth wicket until the former became McCoy’s third victim as Cornwall closed on 116-7.

Mark Wolstenholme (15), Ed Ellis (18) and Chris Park (18) all contributed despite Tommy Sturgess’ haul of 3-10 before Eckland and Denham saw them home.

Wolstenholme (25 off 18) got Dorset off to a flier in the second game, and Webb’s half-century set Cornwall a target of 137 that looked out of reach, even after Thomas Rowe’s electric 35 from 14 balls.

Naik (1-7) turned the screw from his four overs, but Matt Rowe and Smith again haunted Dorset, putting on 46 from 36 balls until Brad Currie (1-15) bowled Smith (27).

But Rowe and Turpin achieved the 11 required runs to dent Dorset’s hopes of a T20 finals day spot.