VERWOOD 73 lost to DORCHESTER II 74-8 by two wickets

DORCHESTER Seconds clinched the Dorset ‘Thank You NHS’ League Division Three title in a low-scoring two-wicket victory at Verwood.

On a wet wicket, hosts Verwood puzzlingly elected to bat after winning the toss and were soon in deep trouble at 43-5 as Joe Power (5-22) ripped through the top order.

Only Luke Hancock (23) and Ollie Arnold (12) made double figures as Verwood toiled.

There was a worrying moment for Dorchester’s Eral Anderson, who suffered a nasty facial cut after being struck while fielding at short leg.

Play continued after Anderson received treatment and Josh Foot (3-3) marched through Verwood’s tail to bowl the hosts out for 73.

Victory looked almost assured, but Dorchester’s batsmen made hard work of the tiny target.

Were it not for Dan Morris’ 34, Nobbs’ men would have been in danger of losing as the visitors slipped from 29-1 to 58-8.

However, Rohan Scott (4no) and Brandon King (1no), plus a generous 20 extras, helped Dorchy over the line.

Speaking to Echosport, a delighted Nobbs said: “To bowl them out for 73 was brilliant.

“Joe had a busy day and took five-for and Eral got struck in the face at short leg when Joe bowled a full toss! Fair play to Joe, he was the first one over there.

“It was all a bit surreal from there. We really made hard work of 74 but the two young lads at the end, Rohan and Brandon, got us over the line.”

He added: “It’s brilliant. “It’s a good feeling to captain the side and actually win the group.

“The first objective was to win the group stages and the second was to win the play-off – we’ve done that.

“The boys have backed me, helped and advised me on stuff through the season so I can’t wait for next year.”

The victory adds to the first team’s title win.