DORSET captain Iain Donnelly sang the praises of rising stars Corey Coshan and Harry Shaw despite a disappointing South West Week at Trevose.

The Dorset duo provided two of the few highlights for the county, who collected the wooden spoon from the annual six-county event.

Coshan was Dorset’s best player in Tuesday’s national qualifier as Somerset claimed their place in this year’s English Counties Finals.

“Corey is a genuine talent,” said Donnelly. “After a year out of the first team he has come back a stronger and more mature player.”

The 19-year-old Ferndown player carded rounds of 70 and 73 for a 143 total.

Coshan’s performance earned him a place as third reserve for the South West Counties team to play the Midlands at Trentham Golf Club in October.

Seventeen-year-old Shaw, meanwhile, claimed the prized scalp of England’s top junior Chris Lloyd in the matchplay competition.

The Parkstone player chalked up an impressive 4 and 3 victory during the 9½ to 4½ defeat against Gloucestershire on Friday.

A weakened Dorset team began the week well with a 7½ to 6½ win over Wiltshire before losing to Devon (8½ to 5½), Cornwall (7½ to 6½), Gloucestershire and Somerset (8½ to 5½).

“Although it was disappointing after finishing joint second last year, we went down fighting in every match,” said Donnelly.

“It’s a fine margin between success and failure. We were without three senior players – David Cook, Dan Smith and Kevin Garwood – and we haven’t got the strength in depth to cover that kind of loss.”

Donnelly’s successor to the Dorset captaincy next March is Giles Legg, who top-scored for the county with six-and-half points.

The outgoing skipper, who hopes to take charge of the county’s colts team next term, has enjoyed mixed fortunes during his two-and-half years in charge.

“During the 2008 to 2009 season we went five South West matches unbeaten which is a record for the county and personal highlight for me,” added Donnelly.

Donnelly’s last three South East League matches are against Kent at Remedy Oak on Sunday, Surrey (Sunningdale) in July, and Sussex a month later at Worthing.