STEVEN Selwood was Dorset's batting star as they ended the first day of their Western Division clash at Dean Park 46 runs ahead of Oxfordshire on Sunday (Aug 21).

The former Derbyshire batsman was in fluent form at the picturesque Bournemouth town centre ground, hammering an impressive 84 as Dorset won the toss and scored 228 in 55.5 overs.

Oxfordshire closed on 182 for six in 54 overs with Rob Williams (60) and Chris Smith (56) their top scorers.

The visitors had looked as though they were going to punish Dorset hard for a disappointing batting performance when they were 124 for two.

But Tom Hicks' side - missing Bournemouth batsmen Matt Swarbrick who had to pull out late with an injured left elbow sustained in Southern League action on Saturday - dug deep late in the day when their bowlers made four much-needed breakthroughs.

It meant Dorset went into today's second day (start 11am) still in with a reasonable chance of recording their first Minor Counties Championship victory of the season in their final match.

They will need, however, to take early wickets today and bat a lot better than first time around in their second innings if they are going to be able to triumph and, hopefully, avoid the Western Division wooden spoon.

Selwood's form for Dorset since he joined them earlier this season has been nothing short of a revelation.

Looking to find a way back into the first-class game after being released by Derbyshire at the end of last season, the 25-year-old hammered 14 fours and one six off only 98 balls in 129 minutes.

Coming in at 32 for two, he put on 85 for Dorset's fourth wicket with Tim Lamb (22) and looked set for another big ton.

But Hollywood, as Selwood is nicknamed in the Dorset camp, was sixth out with their score on 171 when he fell to a beauty from Oxfordshire's experienced medium pace bowler Keith Arnold.

Selwood, who had reached 50 off only 38 balls with 10 fours, was forced on the back foot and clean bowled by the veteran right hander after he ran in from the Winton End.

It was 45-year-old Arnold's 627th championship wicket in his 188th appearance for Oxfordshire, who he made his debut for in 1980.

There was no shame in Selwood losing his wicket to Arnold, who was sending down his 5,000th over in the Minor Counties Championship, and finished the day with four for 42.

Dorset looked as though they were on the way to a total of at least 300 when they were handily placed at 139 for three at lunch off only 31 overs.

But only Lamb and Hicks (34) batted with purpose apart from Selwood and they lost their last seven wickets for only 83 runs.

Pineo, who took two for 28, Dan Belt, Hicks, Glyn Treagus and Rupert Kitzinger bowled Dorset back into contention, though, late in the day.

Dean Park will be the venue for a Dorset Under-21 District Twenty/20 one-day competition on Monday, August 29.

Play will start at 10.30am and proceeds from the event will go to the Chance to Shine Bringing Cricket to State Schools initiative.