DORSET 204 & 189 beat CORNWALL 147 & 153 by 93 runs

DORSET ended their season on a high with a 93-run victory over Cornwall, on the final morning of their three-day clash at Dean Park today.

Needing five more wickets to triumph, the home side wrapped the contest in just over an hour with former-captain Tom Hicks claiming bowling figures of 5-59 in the second innings. Visitors Cornwall added just 65 to their overnight total.

The result means Chris Park’s troops finish the season in fifth spot in the Western Division, unbeaten in their last four games having broken their two-year streak without a three-day win against Herefordshire last month.

Speaking about the performance, elated skipper Park told Echosport: “It was a fantastic morning and it was great to wrap it up early and have no real nervous moments.

“Mark (Wolstenholme) and Tom (Hicks) set the standard, and getting an early wicket was crucial.

“It was a fantastic end-of-season game, let’s just hope we can take the momentum and go into next year in the same shape.

“I am very proud, walking off at Dean Park to a few local supporters was fantastic.”

The side’s staggering turnaround in results over the latter part of the campaign is something the captain is extremely proud of, and wants to build on for the future.

“There is a belief now in the younger players that they know how to win games of Minor Counties Cricket,” Park added.

“We need to improve our one-day cricket and that is something we will be looking to do early next year, we have the squad and the players to do it.

“I feel I have improved as a captain as well as a man-manager, and Alan Willows has been fantastic as coach.

“Fingers crossed the committee would like me to continue as captain next year. It’s a young team and a learning team but there is no reason why next year we cannot win either the One-Day Trophy or the Championship.

“It’s just a case of believing it and wanting to win it for Dorset.”