WILTSHIRE'S first match in the Unicorns Knockout Trophy against Wales at Newport ended in a 72-run defeat in a high-scoring match.

Wales won the toss and chose to bat and made the most of a superb batting pitch and some wayward Wiltshire bowling to reach 352 in 49.5 overs.

After an opening stand of 77 in eight overs, Michael Claydon (117) and G Ansell (82) put on 121 for the second wicket.

Wiltshire’s spinners then put a brake on the run-rate but Wales still made a very challenging score. Nick Harrison took 3-73, Tom Morton 3-76 and Ed Young 2-44.

In reply, Wiltshire made a good start, with Tom Morton (59) and Ed Kilbee (27) putting on 85 for the first wicket.

However, the Wales spinners then took advantage of Wiltshire’s weakness against this type of bowling and collapsed to 147-5 before Neil Clark (42) and Michael Bates (56) put on 69 for the sixth wicket.

The resistance did not last and Wiltshire were eventually all out for 280 with 5.4 overs remaining. C Brown took 3-7 for Wales.

Wiltshire’s next match group match is on Sunday against Dorset at Warminster starting at 11am. With Ed Young unavailable, Steve Bullen comes into the squad.

Wiltshire squad v Dorset: Michael Coles (Corsham) (Captain) Tahir Afridi (Henley) Michael Bates (Oxford) (Wicketkeeper) Steve Bullen Neil Clark (Potterne) Tom Foley (Corsham) Nick Harrison (Corsham) Ed Kilbee (Goatacre) Henry Langford (Corsham) Tom Morton (South Wilts) Uzi Qureshi (Frocester) Jake Roberts (Potterne)