DORSET got their NCCA T20 Group Two campaign off to the perfect start with an exciting double victory over neighbours Wiltshire at Bashley.

Luke Webb’s men reached the final of the previous edition in 2019 before losing out to victors Hertfordshire by nine wickets.

While the pandemic caused a three-year wait for the tournament’s renewal, it appears Dorset have lost no sharpness in the popular limited-overs format.

In new coach Ed Ellis' first competitive game, Webb won the toss and elected to field in the first game as Dorset constricted Wiltshire with their spin attack.

England Under-19 captain Tom Prest (2-33) and Hampshire star Felix Organ (3-13) helped reduce the visitors to 55-6, Prest claiming the scalp of Warwickshire all-rounder Jake Lintott (15).

READ MORE: Ed Ellis backed to shine as Dorset coach

Dorset did meet resistance from Ben Draper (34no) and Ben Huntley (22) before ex-Weymouth all-rounder Ben Ladd Gibbon (1-25) helped stunt Wiltshire to 117-9.

The hosts then polished off the target with 15 balls and eight wickets to spare, unbeaten Prest smashing 49 from 38 balls alongside Webb’s run-a-ball 39.

If Dorset’s margin of victory had been comfortable, their second triumph was anything but as the contest boiled down to the final over.

Prest (69) was again the standout performer with the bat as Webb won the toss again.

The Under-19 World Cup finalist cracked six fours and two sixes in his 46-ball knock, ably supported by Alex Eckland (32no) plus Sam Young (29) and Organ (22).

Dorset reached 161-4 from their 20 overs and looked to be in control of the game seven overs from time with Wiltshire 91-3.

However, Ed Young (58) stepped on the accelerator to surpass the half-century mark and set up a grandstand finale, with 11 needed from six balls.

Right-arm paceman Harry Broderick, who joined Bashley this season, was tasked with bowling Dorset to victory – and he came up trumps with a stunning performance.

His first three balls went for just two runs and included the wicket of Neil Clark (21), caught behind, before a slight wobble as Young ran two prior to a wide.

That left Wiltshire six to score from two deliveries but Broderick (2-13) struck again, this time with the crucial wicket of Young.

New batsman Bradley Dawson (0no) had no option but to swipe for a six but he failed to connect, leaving Dorset jubilant winners by five runs.

Webb’s men, who top the table after the first fixtures, are next in action in two weeks’ time at Herefordshire.