WILTSHIRE coach Tom Morton was delighted to come away from their opening weekend of competitive fixtures top of their Unicorns T20 group after a victory a piece over Devon and Cornwall.

Playing a double-header against each county over the Bank Holiday weekend, starting with Cornwall on Sunday, Wiltshire fell to a 12-run defeat chasing 174 to win before putting the brakes on their hosts two runs short of the 147-6 Morton’s team had initially posted to record their first win.

Jacob Lintott posted bowling figures of 4-18 to help Wiltshire restrict their hosts in the second game.

Wiltshire then travelled back towards home to take on Devon and emerged from Monday’s double-header undefeated.

Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, Jake Goodwin smashed 64 off 36 deliveries – including 10 fours and two sixes – while opening partner Morton struck 72 off 48 balls, which consisted of eight fours and three sixes.

The opening pair’s stand of 115 put Wiltshire in a commanding position and they went on to post 187 – in reply, Devon could only manage 153 all out.

Having taken 3-17 in the first game of the day, Joe King took a sublime five-for in the second game as Wiltshire initially set their hosts 150 to win.

Although Devon looked to be on course to record a simple victory, King’s intervention caused a total capitulation from the middle order and tail as the bottom six batsmen scored five runs between them and the tie was achieved thanks to a dot off the final ball.

Reflecting on an excellent start for his team, Morton said: “It was a positive weekend. Devon and Cornwall are really difficult teams to play against, so to come away with two wins and a tied match was a really good result.

“We’re quite pleased as they’re traditionally two very strong sides.

“We’ve won more games this year than we did last year in the Twenty20 format, and we’re top of the league at the moment, so it’s been a good start.”

Morton went on to highlight the performances of bowlers Arthur Godsal and off-spinner Joe King while also championing former Hampshire player Jake Goodwin’s contribution.

Morton said: “Arthur Godsal bowled two final overs to win the game in Cornwall and tie the game in Devon, so he held his nerve brilliantly.

“Joe King took eight wickets (against Devon) – including a five-for in the second match – and Jake Goodwin batted really well (against Devon) as well.

“So there’s plenty of positives to take into the next block of games and I’m sure we’ll be ready.”