DORSET ended a miserable second half to the season on the receiving end of an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Western Division champions Berkshire today.

Set just 94 for victory at North Perrott, the reigning Minor Counties title holders coasted home for the loss of two wickets from just 24.1 overs.

Home favourite Alex Eckland was involved in both dismissals, catching Archie Carter off Mark Wolstenholme and then bowling Jack Davies.

But it proved too little, too late for Dorset who were condemned to a third successive defeat – and a fourth in five games – to record their lowest finishing position since 2013.

Resuming on 173 for five and with a slender lead of 21, Dorset lost both Ryan Scott and Jigar Naik in the first hour of the morning session, the pair having batted them out of the mire late on day two.

Scott (66) was the first to go, trapped in front by Chris Peploe with the score on 196, as their sixth-wicket partnership of 106 was broken.

And Naik (54) followed soon after when he was caught by Peploe off the bowling of Euan Woods, leaving Dorset struggling on 202 for seven.

Although Mark Wolstenholme (24) added some late runs, Dorset were eventually dismissed for 245, a lead of just 93.

Carter (27) put on 48 for the first wicket with Jack Davis before he was removed by Wolstenholme with Eckland coming on to dismiss his fellow opener.

But Euan Woods (33), who had hit 159 in the visitors' first innings, remained undefeated as Berkshire retained the Western Division crown.