DORSET moved to the brink of victory over Wiltshire with an impressive performance on day two of their MCCA Championship tussle at Sherborne School, writes Neil Walton.

The hosts require just five more wickets – with Wiltshire needing a steep 184 runs – to win their opening three-day fixture.

Wiltshire resumed on 130 for six and saw talismanic off-spinner Jigar Naik remove Bradley Dawson (19) and Uzair Qureshi (2), who returned from injury to take a short-lived stay at the crease.

Naik recorded figures of four for 35 from 20 overs before Ed Ellis ran out Ryan Murray (4) and Josh McCoy (2-17) ousted Luke Evans (6) to earn the hosts 17-run first-innings lead.

Dorset powered on from that position, scoring freely after Alex Eckland (3) and Tom Arnold (18) were dismissed cheaply.

Wiltshire’s tormentors were Luke Webb (76) and Ellis (65), who amassed a stand of 116 before the latter fell to Dawson (1-25).

Scott Currie (42) also chipped in but Dorset lost seven wickets for 34 runs as Joe King (3-76) and Ed Young (3-28) helped bowl out the hosts for 249, setting a 267-run victory target.

Losing wickets early in their second innings, Wiltshire were reduced to 59 for four as only Will Wade (11) and Neil Clark (11) reached double figures.

And McCoy (2-25) struck with the day’s final delivery to remove the settled Qureshi (42) and put Dorset in the box seat.