SKIPPER Tom Hicks refused to concede defeat in the race for the Western Division title following Dorset's 46-run reverse at the hands of leaders Ches-hire yesterday.

Hicks looked set for an heroic captain's innings as previously-unbeaten Dorset experienced fluctuating fortunes as they chased a victory target of 283 at Dean Park.

A third-wicket stand of 78 between Glyn Treagus and Darren Cowley helped Dorset shrug off the early loss of both Tom Webley and Ben Lawes.

But after Cheshire spinner Danny Woods had removed the dangermen and also accounted for Nick and Chris Park, Dorset were wobbling at 148-7.

However, Hicks came to the wicket and steadied the ship, sharing in stands of 43 with Matt Metcalfe and 44 with Martin Ford as Dorset staged a comeback.

But the skipper eventually perished for 37 when he fell victim to a stunning one-handed catch in the covers by James Duffy off the bowling of Adam Sydall.

His demise - with the score on 235 - effectively ended Dorset's hopes of leapfrogging Cheshire at the head of the table and their first defeat of the season was sealed in the following over.

Hicks said: "To be honest, we let ourselves down in the first innings so we were always likely to be chasing a reasonable score.

"But the way we came back in the second innings, we would have taken 283 and if a couple of decisions had gone our way and we'd had a little bit of luck, we could have got over the line. It was a fair game and just about a fair result and it gives them the edge in the title race.

"But for the most part and with a youngish side, we challenged one of the likely favourites and apart from a nightmare session on the second morning, more than matched them.

"It's a real positive for a lot of the young guys who have come in to realise we are a strong team and for the more senior players to realise that we have got the potential to win the next three games and then see what happens."

DEAN PARK SCOREBOARD Dorset v Cheshire (Day Three) Overnight: Cheshire 291-9 and 182-8, Dorset 213.

CHESHIRE Second Innings cont

AJ Sydall b Banham 6

CC Finegan b Metcalfe 6

DA Woods not out 8

Extras (1w, 6b, 8lb) 15

Total (all out, 90.4overs) 204

FoW: 1-0, 2-13, 3-23, 4-66, 5-138, 6-158, 7-159, 8-182, 9-190, 10-204.

Bowling: MD Ford 7-3-10-0, MJ Metcalfe 22-7-59-4, RW Banham 10.4-6-11-2, TC Hicks 25-6-53-1, GR Treagus 22-9-48-2, MTC Waller 4-2-9-1.

DORSET Second Innings

GR Treagus c Dawood b Woods 50

T Webley c Spendlove b Sydall 8

BJ Lawes lbw Sydall 10

DJ Cowley b Woods 42

NG Park c Dawood b Woods 0

CL Park lbw Woods 10

MJ Metcalfe run out 18

TC Hicks c Duffy b Sydall 37

MD Ford c Spendlove b Dumelow 30

MTC Waller not out 19

R Banham b Dumelow 0

Extras (2b, 5lb, 5pen) 12

Total (all out, 79.5 overs) 236

FoW: 1-16, 2-36, 3-114, 4-120, 5-123, 6-148, 7-148, 8-191, 9-235, 10-236.

Bowling: AJ Sydall 11-3-30-3, CC Finegan 6-1-13-0, NRC Dumelow 33.5-8-102-2, DA Woods 29-2-79-4.

Result: Cheshire won by 46 runs

Points: Dorset 5, Cheshire 23.

Umpires: Martin Brown and Robert Sutton.