WALES OVER-50s 177 lost to DORSET 50+ 182-1

THE Dorset 50+ side has completed their season with victory in the Southern Counties Senior Championship Play-off Final against Wales after winning by nine wickets.

Being asked to field first at Trowbridge, Tom White’s Dorset side bowled tightly, conceding only 57 runs in the first 20 of a 45 over-a-side game.

Dorset took two wickets in the meantime with scalps for opening pairing Bobby Paul and Graham Puckett.

After a third wicket fell quickly in the 24th over to Buddy Langford, Wales’ next pairing put on a partnership of 61 runs taking the score to 127 before Puckett claimed his second victim of the afternoon.

It was at this stage that Dorset took control of the innings, taking wickets at regular intervals with Wales losing their last six men for only 50 runs with Terry Manning (4-31) the pick of the bowlers.

He wrapped up the innings with the last ball, bowling out the Welsh side for 177 runs.

Dorset’s opening batsmen Jim Ryall and John Young got their side off to a solid start, which was aided by some wayward bowling and raced 62-0 after only 10 overs. Both batsmen continued to build a sizeable total to take Dorset’s score past the 100 mark.

Not content there, they looked to win the game together but, after an excellent innings, Ryall fell two runs short of his 100 after being caught behind with only five runs required for victory.

Joined by Simon Leadbeater, it was left for Young (54no) to guide the side home to victory by nine wickets with more than five overs to spare.

A Dorset spokesman said: “This was fitting end to an excellent season where everyone who was called upon to represent their county did so in the most professional manner.

“Special mention must go to the skipper, Tom White, who by his own standards did not have the best of seasons with the bat, but led his side with confidence and excellent leadership.