Dorset win Group Two to take NCCA T20 finals day spot

Going into the weekend, Cornwall trailed unbeaten Dorset by one point in the standings and therefore needed to beat them in the first of two games.

However, the Choughs were not given a look in by an aggressive batting peformance from the visitors.

Luke Webb's men lost the toss and were asked to bat first, but still managed an electric start in reaching 28-0 from the opening three overs.

England Under-19 skipper Tom Prest was joined by Sam Young, himself a graduate of the England Under-19 setup, to set Dorset on their way.

The duo maintained their heavy scoring, chalking up 72-0 after nine overs.

Prest (32) was then snaffled by Somerset and ex-England Under-19 all-rounder Lewis Goldsworthy, who took a smart catch off Ateeq Javid (2-24).

Webb (6) departed soon afterwards, caught off Javid, but Young and Alex Eckland then joined forces to devastating effect.

They carved 88 from the next 8.3 overs, Eckland crashing a stunning 63 not out from 32 balls including three sixes and five fours.

Alex Eckland scored a blistering 63 not out Picture: GRAHAM HUNT

He proved the perfect ally for Young, who compiled a fluent 74 from 54 balls, comprised of four boundaries and two sixes.

Young was dismissed by Tom Dinnis, who returned expensive figures of 1-53 from his four overs after shipping 17 in the final over, Dorset ending on 188-4.

Needing to score at nine-and-a-half per over, Cornwall were reduced to 13-1 after 12 balls as Brad Currie (2-30) bowled Christian Purchase (1).

Javid (28) smacked five fours in reply before Harry Broderick (2-26) snuck one through his defences.

Goldsworthy was tasked with the anchor role while Cornwall chased the total but the Choughs lost regular wickets in falling to 108-5.

Tommy Sturgess did fire 28 from 16 balls, with two fours and sixes, but when he and Goldsworthy (48) perished there was no way back as the Cornish side finished 19 runs short of their target.

Better was to come from Young in the second game.

The Bath opener blitzed the Cornwall attack with a stupendous 103 not out from 60 balls, containing nine boundaries and five maximums.

Broderick also lashed 58 from 41 balls, adding to 28 in 15 from Prest, as Dorset posted a giant score of 199-3 from 20 overs.

In reply, Purchase (45 from 19) recorded the best strike rate of the day to get Cornwall off to the rapid start they required.

However, when he was bowled by Simon Woodruff (3-45), Dorset's spinners then helped turn the screw.

Prest (2-21) and Rob Pack (1-17) bogged the Choughs' chase down and economical figures of 1-21 by paceman David Scott also helped Dorset close out a 47-run victory.

Dorset, who win Group Two, go into the finals day at Tring on Sunday, May 22 looking to go one better than their runners-up spot in 2019.