DORSET have been knocked out of the Unicorns T20 competition after Devon took two wins from their double-header with Wales.

Jigar Naik’s men were placed at the summit of Group Four prior to Devon’s final fixtures, but ended in third place on net run-rate after Cornwall twice beat Wiltshire.

Devon, who started the day two points behind Dorset with two points on offer per victory, sealed their place at the finals day in Wormsley on Sunday, August 26 with two wins of differing simplicity.

In the opening clash at North Devon CC, Wales had reduced the hosts to 70-5 but a fine unbeaten 73 off 40 balls from Zac Bess, brother of England Test star Dom, boosted Devon to 155-6.

Wales were in similar trouble at 30-3 early in their innings but Oscar Kolk (36) blasted the Dinkies back into contention before perishing at 92-5.

Late hitting from Darren Thomas (30 not out off 20 balls) gave Wales hope, but Devon continued to take wickets around the middle order man, eventually taking a 14-run triumph.

In the second encounter, Wales batted first and once more lost wickets regularly, Adam Keane top-scoring with 39 as Gary Chappell returned impressive figures of 2-19 from four overs to help limit the away side to 122-9.

Chappell (28) put on 64 for the

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first wicket with James Burke (30) in Devon’s reply until Gregory Holmes (3-25) halted the hosts’ charge at 76-5.

Devon were indebted to Zac Bess (24no) and Joe Thompson (27no) as they coasted home with 2.2 overs remaining.

Dorset’s Chris Park, who will skipper Dorset in their MCCA Championship opener against Wiltshire at Sherborne School on Sunday (11am), was “proud” of Dorset’s displays during the T20 season.

He said: “It was a good T20 competition for us and we were a little unlucky to lose one or two games we probably should have won.

“The league table was really close but Devon were the best side that played against us.

“We should be really proud of the performances we put in. We will learn from it moving ahead to next season.”