SEAN Walbridge revealed his pride, despite watching Dorset fall agonisingly short of Minor Counties Championship glory last night.

Needing to defeat Oxfordshire at Dean Park to stand any chance of leapfrogging Cheshire and Berkshire in the race for the Western Division title, Dorset missed victory by just 16 runs.

After admitting his disappointment at the result, coach Walbridge emphasised the positives of a much-improved season.

"I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to win the title," he told the Daily Echo.

"They bowled well and we didn't bat as well as we could have. We came up short.

"I was really pleased with the situation because we managed to take it to the last day of the regular season and we were still in with a chance of winning the title.

"I'm disappointed because we should've got the runs, but we can be proud of the steps we've taken this year."

Resuming on 90 for one yesterday morning, Oxfordshire made a poor start and were pegged back by some fine Dorset bowling.

Visiting batsmen Chris Sandbach (48) and Craig Haupt (10) didn't last long, as both fell to the bowling of Dorset skipper Tom Hicks.

Hicks (5-51) continued to rattle through the Oxfordshire order and also accounted for captain Rob Williams (14), Luke Ryan (16) and Keith Arnold (6), as the visitors were skittled for 227, leaving Dorset 182 to win.

Nick Park (41), Hicks (28) and Dan Belt (32) got Walbridge's men close, but they were left looking ahead to next season's prospects, rather than dwelling on what was almost a championship success.

"Hopefully now we're in a position to work hard over the winter and be competitive next year and win everything we enter - the championship and one-day competition," added Walbridge.