DORSET trailed by 126 runs following the first day of their Unicorns Championship clash with Herefordshire at North Perrott Cricket Club.

The visitors won the toss and having elected to bat, worked their way to 259.

Skipper Matt Pardoe and his fellow opener Liam Gwynne enjoyed a fine partnership of 97 and after the latter departed, Pardoe combined superbly with Ed Pollock to pile on 81 further runs.

But from that point, matters slowed down dramatically as Mark Wolstenholme and Sam Thompson caused havoc in the lower order.

Sixteen-year-old Max Trueman enjoyed a memorable Championship debut for Dorset, pouching a catch from the bat of Chris Whittock which stopped the middle-order man on a modest 29.

Thomson took four for 66 and Wolstenholme three for 50, while ex-Hampshire man Tom Barber ended with two for 66.

In reply, Dorset made a strong start. Mas Khan (42*) and Tom Arnold (74) put on 128 for the first wicket and Brad Currie finished the day with Khan, who had spent more than two hours at the crease come the close.