DORSET produced a remarkable display against Surrey to lift the ICC Consolation Trophy at the third attempt.

After beating East Sussex (22-18) and Worcestershire (35-5) on the way to the final, the Dorset ranks were full of confidence in Northampton and they delivered in emphatic fashion by recording a 28-12 win.

With the memory of their defeat against Cornwall in last year’s final still fresh in their minds, Dorset began solidly with June Balbinski and the pairing of Dave Glennerster and Steve Clayton notching up wins in the first session of singles and pairs.

Close defeats in the other singles and pairs then left all to play for as the match score stood all square at 4-4. However, the second session went well for Dorset as both triples prevailed with Dave Redfern, Trevor Ford and Barry Whitburn including a hot-shot six in their success (21-11).

The four of Eugene Balbinski, Andrew Hall, Paul Gough and Steve White also won, which left the match score at halfway at 10-6 to Dorset.

The action then returned for the second round of the singles and pairs and with Robert Martin romping through his singles match, and both Dorset pairs (Richard Clayton & Brian Baker, Steve Clayton & Dave Glennerster) coming out on top, victory was now in sight. In the end it was June Balbinski that brought Dorset over the finishing line with a session to spare as her side took an insurmountable 22-6 lead.

The final session saw the Dorset triple of Ken Lever, Jim Hayle and Steve Stanton win their second match of the day and secure the bonus points, and finally with the four of Bryony Ford, Tony Carr, Lynn Dean and Mark White also winning, it meant all of the Dorset team members won at least once on the day.

This is the first time Dorset have ever won this competition and the final scoreline was clear evidence of their superiority as the encounter finished 179 shots to 151.