DORSET are on course to complete a comprehensive win over Cheshire after outplaying their MCCA Unicorns Championship Western Division opponents on day two at Chapel Gate.

Resuming on 46-4, Cheshire were skittled for 125 despite a rebellious 42 from 36 balls by Luke Robinson.

Dorset then compiled 267-6 declared from 72 overs for an intimidating lead of 428 until Cheshire wobbled before the close, reaching 24-2 from 10 overs at stumps.

In truth, Dorset have dominated this encounter and showed no mercy when resuming from day one as Brad Currie (5-51) completed a five-wicket haul.

Jigar Naik (2-23) helped wipe out the tail as Cheshire surrendered a first-innings deficit of 161.

Dorset captain Luke Webb promoted himself to open and duly notched 51, while Alex Eckland followed up a maiden Minor Counties ton with 73, Harry Fisher (86) also impressing with a second straight half-century as Cheshire toiled in the field on a warm day.

Eckland and Fisher shared 121 for the fourth wicket – their second consecutive century stand in this match, bringing their cumulative partnership to 267 runs across both innings.

Simon Normanton (3-67) claimed three scalps including Fisher, Ed Ellis (5) and Alex Turner (0) while Andrew Jackson (2-57) removed Ryan Scott (28) and Eckland.

But the damage had been done by Dorset’s belligerent batsmen and Currie, following on from his superb first-innings figures, took the early scalp of Ben Aitchison (8) in Cheshire’s second innings.

Dorset drove their advantage home when Naik bowled Jackson (7) late in the day, Cheshire seeing out 14 successive dot balls in a case of damage limitation.

But the visitors, who are still 404 runs in arrears, have a near impossible task on day three with a Dorset victory looking extremely likely.