DORSET'S hopes of Minor Counties Championship glory were in the balance following an intriguing second day of their finale with Western Division rivals Oxfordshire.

The visitors reached stumps at 90 for one - a slender lead of 44 - with Dorset likely to rely on a sporting declaration today to boost their chances of victory.

Dorset must emerge victorious from the Dean Park showdown to stand any chance of overhauling both Cheshire and Berkshire in the race for the divisional pennant.

And unless they can rattle through Oxfordshire fairly rapidly in the first session today, it could need another of their memorable run chases to keep alive the dream.

Resuming at 55 for two - in reply to Oxfordshire's first innings of 285 for five - Dorset posted 331 for nine with their middle order providing the bulk of the runs.

Darren Cowley (64), Tom Hicks (60), Matt Metcalfe (79) and Tim Lamb (35) all made valuable contributions after Glyn Treagus (36) had laid a solid foundation.

Metcalfe and Hicks shared a sixth-wicket stand of 92, while Cowley was in typically belligerent mood, hitting three sixes and seven fours in his 67-ball stay.

At the close, Chris Sandbach and Craig Haupt both looked well set after opener Jamie Hewitt had perished at the hands of Bournemouth's Ed Denham for 35.