Wiltshire CCC team finishes the season on a disappointing note (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire CCC team finishes the season on a disappointing note

WILTSHIRE CCC finished their season with a crushing defeat by an innings and 114 runs at the hands of the Western Division champions Devon in the Minor Counties Championship at Exmouth on Tuesday.

On winning the toss, Russell Rowe chose to bat on an overcast Sunday and damp pitch and soon regretted the decision.

For Wiltshire were shot out for 103 in only 38 overs with only Ollie Smith (15), Baqar Rizvi (18) and James Hayward (17no) on his debut making double figures.

In fact, the highest partnership of 30 was for the last wicket between Hayward and Kevin Nash. For Devon Neil Hancock took 4-47 and Trevor Anning 4-32.

In reply, Wiltshire gained an early success when Hayward caught Matthew Hunt for a duck, but then Arul Suppiah (108) and Bob Dawson (81) put on 154 for the second wicket and Devon were able to declare at 330-7.

Kevin Nash took 3-102, James Hibberd 2-45 and James Hayward 2-69. Over a day's play had been lost to the weather on the first two days and half of the third day was also lost.

But there was still enough time for Devon to bowl out Wiltshire for 113 in 57 overs on a pitch which was giving bowlers considerable help after rain had got under the covers.

Michael Coles scored 39, Jon Chandler 21 and Baqar Rizvi 18. Ian Bishop took 4-6 to finish the innings with Neil Hancock taking 2-51 and Andy Procter 3-30.

Devon collected 24 points and Wiltshire, who finished fifth in the table, just three.