Dorset continued their pre ECB Championship warm up programme with a 45 over game against Surrey at Dean Park.
On an immaculately produced pitch, prepared as usual by head groundsman John Fazackerley, Dorset's winning of the toss proved to be somewhat of a "poisoned chalice" as Dorset Captain Mike Geller had confessed prior to the start that the prevailing dull, overcast conditions had caused him to hesitate long and hard before asking Surrey to bat first.
Surrey's openers produced a steady start, followed by the necessary acceleration from the middle order which produced a stand of 110 by Angus and Neale. None of Dorset's bowlers were able to stem the flow of runs from Surrey's batsmen, with the notable exception of Peter Couch whose 9 over spell cost only 25 runs and included the valuable wicket of opener Ashdown.
The overcast conditions had not produced the expected swing for Dorset's pacemen and when Mike Geller turned to his spinners, they found it equally difficult to tie down Surrey's batsmen. In spite of the astute fields being set by the Dorset Captain and an excellent ground fielding display, Surrey continued with their aggressive batting without resorting to "long handle" tactics and finished their accomplished batting effort on 221 for 6.
Dorset began their reply under damp, ever-darkening conditions and the additional humidity produced helpful swing and lift for Surrey's opening attack. With the exception of Keith Clark, who contributed a robust, yet elegant 34 and Phil Norton with a controlled innings of 36 which won him the Castle Cover "Dorset Man of the Match" award from the Umpires, non of Dorset's batsmen were able to produce the necessary acceleration required to reach the Surrey total and the innings subsided to 175 all out in the 44th over.
Dorset must hope for improved and more disciplined collective form when they open their ECB Championship campaign against Wiltshire at Swindon on 28th May.
Guy Lowton Castle cover 50+ man of the match
Dorset v Berkshire at Falklands CC Wed 7th May
Dorset Lose Opener
The Dorset 50 plus cricket squad began their 2008 campaign with an away fixture against Berkshire at the well appointed facilities of Falklands CC, near Newbury.
This fixture has been the traditional "pipe opener" to Dorsets ECB campaign and hopes were high as this year has seen a considerable increase in competition for first team places within the squad.
However, with the exception of Guy Lowton who took 6 Berkshire wickets for 24, as well as making a well constructed 54 runs with the bat, overall performances were disappointing and Dorset's reply to Berkshire's 191 for 9 fell away and they could only respond with 132 all out in this 45 over match.
Needless to say, Guy Lowton was duly elected "Castle Cover 50+ Man Of The Match." for his outstanding all round contribution.
Dorset v Berkshire at Falklands CC Wed 7th May