HAMPSHIRE SECONDS 265 (50 overs) lost to DORSET 268-9 (49.4 overs) by one wicket

DORSET kicked off their new campaign with a bang as they defeated Hampshire Seconds in a pre-season friendly at the Ageas Bowl.

Having won the toss, Hampshire elected to bat first but Dorset made early inroads and in the eighth over, the home side were reduced to 48-3, having lost the wickets of Tom Alsop, Sean Terry and Dorset-born wicketkeeper-batsman Lewis McManus.

But Hampshire’s Michael Bates proved a more than formidable opponent for the Dorset bowlers. Joined by Adam Hose, the pair put on 60 for the fourth wicket before Hose was clean bowled attempting to reverse sweep Dorset spinner Sam Thomson.

Bates then kicked on and accelerated to rack up 121 from 121 deliveries as the hosts posted 265.

Bowling honours were shared with Dorset’s Mark Wolsten-holme, James Hayman, former-skipper Tom Hicks and Thomson grabbing two wickets each.

And despite losing the early wicket of newly-appointed vice-captain Jake Lintott, Dorset progressed at a steady pace in their run chase.

Good knocks by Masoor Khan, Michael Porter and Ryan Scott all helped to keep the visitors on track and, despite losing a couple of wickets as the winning post was in sight, the visitors needed eight runs from the final over to clinch the game.

Ed Denham, who produced a timely innings of 33, then step-ped up to the plate in the last over as he launched a huge six over long-on to give Dorset a one-wicket victory with just two balls to spare.

Dorset head coach Alan Will-ows said: “It’s the first time we have beaten a professional county’s second team since I have been coach, so we are delighted to start the season winning an important game.”

Dorset’s next pre-season fixture is away at Wiltshire next Monday.