Dorset batsman Darren Cowley

DARREN Cowley was unbeaten on 71 as Dorset ended another rain-affected day's play at Dean Park trailing Devon by 167 runs with seven first innings wickets remaining tonight.

Play was delayed three hours by overnight rain, and after a stop-start innings, Devon posted 287 all out with Bashley slow bowler Max Waller bagging Dorset best figures of 4-56.

Dorset's reply was on 120-3 at the close after Glyn Treagus was dismissed at 7.58pm by Sandy Allen's first ball of the last scheduled over of the second day.

There was plenty of conjecture among the crowd as to how each side would approach tomorrow's final day, bearing in mind so much time has been lost to wet weather in this Minor Counties Championship clash.

But Cowley didn't appear to be bothered by that.

He only knows how to bat one way, and the Bournemouth left-hander smashed two sixes and 10 fours in an impressive trademark powerful innings.

Devon, perhaps with one eye already on their MCCA Trophy semi-final against Norfolk on Sunday, didn't use opening bowler Ian Bishop until their 28th over.

When he came on as fourth change, Bishop, a quickie, sent down 12 deliveries of spin.

No doubt Bishop will see more of the ball tomorrow when the real contest for Western Division points begins.

With Devon captain Bobby Dawson off the field with a back injury, they didn't appear too interested in Dorset's pursuit of their first innings batting total.

So Cowley made hay, just as James Hudson, who began the day on 19 not out and finished with 113, and Neil Bettis, who took his unbeaten overnight tally of 38 onto 82, had done for Devon earlier.

Details: Devon 287 all out in 87 overs (J M Hudson 113, N C Bettis 82, A P W Allen 30, Waller 4-56, Banham 2-70) Dorset 120-3 in 30.1 overs (D J Cowley 71no). Points: Dorset 4 Devon 4.

9:32pm Monday 7th July 2008

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