Wiltshire CCC end Minor Counties campaign on a high (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire CCC end Minor Counties campaign on a high

WILTSHIRE County Cricket Club last week completed their Minor Counties Championship programme for 2003 with a comprehensive, ten-wicket victory over Dorset at Bournemouth.

Dorset won the toss and ,at one time, were well placed on 245-1 after a second-wicket stand of 179 between Glyn Treagus (152) and Peter Deakin (54).

Then the Wiltshire spinners took charge and Richard Illingworth (5-87) and Jason Searle (4-71) bowled Dorset out for 293.

Wiltshire made a good start to their reply and at close of play on the first day were 34-1.

They continued their innings positively and a fourth-wicket stand between Kevin Blackburn (151) and Baqar Rizvi (52) took the score to 222.

Russell Rowe, with an aggressive 74, carried on the good work and Wiltshire were finally all out for 363 and a lead of 70.

Dorset started their second innings well and, at one time, were 51-1 but then Michael Coles with 5-39 (including a hat-trick) and Kevin Nash (4-48) demolished the batting.

With Dorset (7pts) all out for 119, Wiltshire (24pts) scored the 50 needed to win on the third day in seven overs without loss.

Kevin Blackburn, who scored two centuries in the three matches he played was awarded his County cap.