WILTSHIRE earned their first Unicorns Twenty20 group win of the season against Wales at the weekend in a thrilling final-ball decider.

Tom Morton’s men reached 134-5 from their 20 overs, the head coach scoring 53, Jake Goodwin 24 and Neil Clark 21 before Wales batted in similar fashion, meaning they required five runs from the final over, bowled by Goodwin, to win.

Tight bowling meant the hosts required two runs off the final ball to win, but a stunning direct hit by Will Wade from long-on ensured Wiltshire returned home with their first points of the season as Morton’s troops earned a one-run victory.

A first win of the campaign was immediately followed by another loss though in another last-ball contest.

The visitors, for whom Joe King took 3-14 in the Wales innings, required five runs from the final ball to win, but they could only manage two as Wales made up for lost ground in the opening fixture to win.

Clark scored 34 and Ashur Morrison 27.

Head coach Morton said: “Both games went down to the last ball and we did well in both matches.

“Wales needed just five off the last over in the first match and we only allowed them three runs, which was very pleasing.

“In the second fixture we needed five off the last ball, but we were previously in a good position to win the game.

“It was quite an intense day. The pace of Twenty20 cricket is much greater than the normal 50-over format.

“It is draining and can be quite tough. But we had a young side out, so we can’t make excuses.

“We should have won the second match after our performance in the first.”

Despite losing their second match, Morton was pleased with Wiltshire’s overall performance.

Skipper Ed Young was missing, meaning places were handed out to some of the county’s rising stars.

And Morton – who will next oversee a tough clash against Cornwall at Calne on June 17 – was pleased with how some of the younger players performed.

He said: “Young’s absence meant we could hand out some opportunities to our younger players who performed really well.

“The direct hit was by one of our younger players and there was a match-changing catch too.

“We have some promising players, the depth is there.

“It was a great opportunity for them, and when they play they have the chance to show what they’re capable of.

“Cornwall will always provide us with a competitive game.

“They consistently put good teams out, and (former Somerset player) Peter Trego has featured for them lately.

"He’s a dominant player that can do some damage.

“It will be a tough game but we’ll have Ed Young back, so we’re hopeful of a good result.”