DORSET 215 (0pts) lost to WILTSHIRE 229-9 (2pts) by 14 runs

LATE runs from Bournemouth’s Rob Pack could not prevent Dorset from falling to a 14-run NCCA Trophy loss against Wiltshire at Bashley.

Pack smacked 18 from 17 balls, including two fours and a six, to leave Dorset needing 15 from 11 balls with two wickets remaining.

However, the all-rounder was snaffled by Tahir Afridi off Arthur Godsal (1-27) as Dorset succumbed to their first defeat in Group Two.

Earlier, Dorset fielded first after losing the toss and came up against Hampshire loanee Cameron Steel – whose parent county Durham had allowed him the chance to play at Bashley.

The Wiltshire debutant opened the batting and played the anchor role as Dorset bowled tidily first up.

Ben Fletcher, playing on his home ground, and Hampshire’s Scott Currie – himself afforded the chance to play – helped restrict Wiltshire, the latter making the breakthrough as William Wade (13) fell lbw.

Bournemouth’s Simon Woodruff (2-23) and Bashley’s Josh Digby (2-42) each took two wickets, the former dismissing Steel (31) to wobble Wiltshire on 76-5.

That was until away captain Ed Young’s game-changing unbeaten 103, comprised of 11 fours and a six from 103 balls.

His knock, boosted by late contributions from Jake Goodwin (17) and Godsal (12), helped take Wiltshire to 229-9 from 50 overs, despite three wickets at the death for Felix Organ (3-40).

Organ (6) was run out early in Dorset's chase, while Afridi (1-39) pinned Clevedon's Greg Willows (0) leg before to leave Dorset on 7-2.

The hosts were rescued by former Hampshire batsman Oli Soames (67) and captain Luke Webb (37), the duo piling on 66 for the third wicket.

Webb's unfortunate run out brought Alex Eckland (41) to the crease and he shared 79 with Soames (67) to leave Dorset well-placed on 152-3.

Wiltshire's Matt Burton (3-36) had other ideas, though, his quickfire trio of wickets accounting for Soames, Ed Ellis (14) and Currie (2).

Dorset needed an achievable 49 from 46 balls at this point, but wickets fell regularly amid Pack's hitting as Wiltshire took victory in their opening game.