DORSET’S hopes of securing their first South West match play title for more than 30 years were blown off course by Somerset today.

Captain Giles Legg’s team were beaten 11½-2½ on the seaside links course at Saunton in North Devon.

Dorset must now beat unbeaten leaders Wiltshire tomorrow to resurrect any chance of claiming the coveted silverware.

Only Tom Peacock and Dean Barnes registered singles victories as Somerset won the morning singles 6-2, while Ben Harvey and county champion Tom Leech claimed the only half-point in the foursomes to prevent an afternoon whitewash for their opponents.

Unfortunately it was Peacock and Barnes’s last involvement in the competition as both players have work commitment for the final two days.

Dorset’s final match is against Gloucestershire on Friday.

Results, Singles (Dorset players first): Matt Hector (Ferndown) lost 4 and 3 to Shane Winstone, Harry Shaw (Parkstone) lost by 1 hole to Ashley Mansell, Robbie Mabb (Weymouth) lost 2 and 1 to Craig Adams, Daniel Bishop (Christchurch) lost by 1 hole to Sam Day, Tom Peacock (Parkstone) beat Jamie Clare 3 and 2, Giles Legg (Ferndown) lost 4 and 3 to Ellis Cook, Jon Welch (Weymouth) lost 4 and 3 to Phil White, Dean Barnes (Ferndown) beat Matt Kippen 3 and 2.

Foursomes: Ben Harvey (Ferndown)/Leech halved with Tom Small/Adams, Mabb/Bishop lost 5 and 4 to Day/Mansell, Hector/Peacock lost 4 and 2 to George Morgan/Cook, Legg/Welch lost 2 and 1 to Clare/White.