SKIPPER Chris Park expressed his delight after Dorset opened their Unicorns Championship campaign with an emphatic 92-run victory over Wiltshire.

The hosts picked up the five wickets they required in quick time on the final day at Sherborne School to begin their three-day quest in impressive fashion.

On a lively wicket, Dorset posted scores of 170 and 249 in comparison to the visitors’ 153 and 174.

Park, who guided his troops to third in the table in 2017, said: “After what was quite a successful three-day campaign last season, it was nice to reinforce how positive we are as a side.

“I was absolutely delighted. On quite a difficult pitch the batsmen applied themselves in both innings.

“The second-innings partnership (of 116) between Luke Webb and Ed Ellis was crucial to the match set-up but there were also good performances from Scott Currie and Josh McCoy.

“Josh’s spell with the ball on day two alongside Jigar Naik was match-winning in its own respect. They got the team over the line.”

With the visitors requiring a further 184 to win on the final day, it took Dorset just 12 deliveries to make a breakthrough.

All-rounder McCoy bowled Joe King (4) to set the ball rolling.

He then had Ben Draper (22) caught by Park on his way to

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second-innings figures of four for 63.

It was then the turn of star off-spinner Naik to clean up the tail and dismiss the visitors second time round – 93 short of their victory target.

The former Leicestershire professional snared the final three wickets – despite a counter from Wiltshire’s Ryan Murray (30) and Bradley Dawson (36*), who put on a final stand of 56 with some late hitting.

Naik, the leading wicket-taker in Minor Counties Championship Cricket last season, picked up where he left off by claiming match figures of eight for 103.

“Three days of hot weather and a very dry pitch helped a little but there are not many better spin bowlers around than him,” added Park.

“He is so experienced and is very good at what he does. It is great to have him on board again this season.”

Park reclaimed the wicketkeeping gloves from Ed Ellis during the second innings after sustaining a finger injury while batting on day one.