Wiltshire leave it late for first win

Wiltshire broke their Minor Counties Championship duck with a thrilling 133-run victory over Herefordshire at Corsham.

The hosts triumphed with just an over remaining on the final evening of a rain-interrupted match, bowling Herefordshire out for 183 thanks to Michael Coles’ haul of 3-14.

Coles had taken 3-18 in the first innings to limit Herefordshire to 175, securing a first-innings lead of 51 for Wiltshire.

Wiltshire amassed 265 for four in the second innings on the back of Eddie Abel’s 101, setting Herefordshire 317 to win in 60 overs.

They never looked likely to challenge that target as they slipped to 95 for seven, but David Exall and James Shackleton shared a dogged 51-run stand for the eighth wicket to raise hopes of an unlikely draw.

Shackleton’s departure for 34 exposed the tail, and Exall was left stranded on 70 when the final wicket fell to Coles.