DARREN Cowley played a heroic knock as Dorset snatched a remarkable six-wicket victory in their final league fixture of the season to seal the runners-up spot in the Minor Counties Championship.

Dorset's most explosive batsman crashed his way to 81 not out off just 55 balls as he hammered 11 fours and four sixes to see his side to the 212 victory target that Wiltshire had set them early yesterday afternoon.

But Cowley was not alone in stepping up to the plate when it really mattered. Opener Glyn Treagus, fresh from his first innings hundred, crafted another fine innings with a quickfire 77 from 78 balls to grease the wheels of the run chase.

And spinner Tom Hicks, who was nursing a thumb injury, had earlier chipped in with three vital wickets - including his 100th Championship wicket for Dorset - to finally dismiss the visitors for a gritty 232.

Team boss Sean Walbridge told the Daily Echo: "We're absolutely delighted to finish the season like that. It is the perfect end to what has been a very enjoyable season for us."

With Wiltshire resuming on 92 for six yesterday morning, it seemed likely that Dorset would clean up the rest of the innings and set about a relatively small target with few problems.

But Walbridge explained: "Wiltshire batted very well and held us up. I think some people were expecting us to turn up and roll them over very quickly, but they dug in deep.

"Setting us 212 to win even gave them a sniff of winning the game."

Dorset finally got to the wicket at 3pm yesterday and rattled off the runs for the loss of just four wickets in an incredible three-hour spell to get home with seven overs to spare.

Walbridge said: "Treags just carried on where he left off in the first innings and got us off to a great start but when he got out, Darren took on the mantle and produced one of his special knocks.

"He was just awesome when he got going, but he wasn't throwing the bat at everything. It was good shot selection, but it was also ferocious.

"When you get him in these situations, he can go and win you the match. That is exactly what he did."