Dorset go into the final day of the Minor Counties final at Bournemouth
Sports CC having clawed themselves into a match winning position against
Cumberland.
After conceding a first innings deficit of 40 runs, they reduced the reigning
champions to 142 for nine in their second innings by the close, though
Cumberland will have the advantage of bowling last on a pitch becoming
increasingly receptive to spin.
Cumberland, who beat Dorset in last year's play-off at Netherfield, were
always back pedalling and lost their first five wickets for just 78.
Influential Dorset leg-spinner Vyvian Pike tied up one end to take three for
55 off 21 consecutive overs, his second wicket also his 200th in the
championship.
But young seamers Toby Sharpe and David Kidner, an 18-year-old left-armer,
also shared five wickets between them to provide some sterling support for
Pike. Sharpe picked up three for 18 off nine overs, including the wicket of
the dangerous Martin Lewis. Ex-Yorkshire batsman Ashley Metcalfe topscored
with 47 before he fell to a diving catch at short mid-wicket by Matt
Swarbrick off Glyn Treagus.
Dorset, 85 for two at the start of the middle day, progressed to 242 for nine
off their mandatory 70 overs, but would have got closer to Cumberland's first
day total of 282 for five had Darren Cowley not recklessly given away his
wicket at 164 for four. The beefy left-hander tried to hit slow left-armer
Jon Fielding for a second successive six and was stumped for 75.
Fielding and leg-spinner Simon Kippax both bowled well, and how they perform
on the final day could be the key to Cumberland's hopes of retaining the
title.