A TIMELY boost from tail-ender Ed Denham saw Dorset over the winning line with two balls to spare in their opening warm-up match at Hampshire II.

Despite home number-three Michael Bates rattling off 121 from as many balls, the visitors largely matched Hampshire’s strike rate while chasing a target of 265.

After Masoor Khan (39) and Michael Porter (30) had given Dorset a solid foundation to build from, a strong showing from the middle order saw Ryan Scott (42) up the ante before Denham’s 33 from 21 balls sealed a one-wicket success, bringing up a total of 268 for nine.