Cricket: Wiltshire captain James Hibberd said he could not have asked for a better start after a dominant victory over Herefordshire in the MCCA Trophy on Sunday.
After choosing to take first use of Devizes’ London Road wicket, the home side blasted 337-3 from their allotted overs to all but confirm the result after one innings.
The visitors were unable to produce the required heroics and subsided to 218 all out after 48 overs.
“It was very satisfying,” said Hibberd. “Everything went perfectly for us really.”
“We dropped a couple of catches but all in all it was about as immaculate a performance as we could have asked for.”
Opener Tom Morton and Greg Lamb came together at 65-2 and put on a partnership of 162 to give Wiltshire the initiative.
When Morton eventually fell, for 126 from 124 balls, it brought Michael Coles to the crease who proceeded to bludgeon the visitors’ bowling attack to all parts of the ground before finishing on 70 from just 26 balls faced.
“It was an absolutely awesome display of hitting,” said Hibberd.
“Tom set us up and at 40 overs gone we still had a good score even if he hadn’t come in and done that late on.
“Luke Stoughton looked in good nick and Greg Lamb played well but Colesy was ridiculous. I’ve played with him for a long time and was very aware he is capable of hitting a long ball.”
The former Corsham captain hit seven sixes and two fours in his brief cameo.
Lamb finished unbeaten alongside him, falling just short of a century with 93 from 109 balls as Wiltshire eclipsed their previous best in the competition by 34 runs.
In reply Herefordshire lost wickets at regular intervals on their way a 120 run defeat.
Lamb completed a fine individual performance taking 3-30 in 10 overs.
“The wicket was susceptible to slow bowling in the afternoon but Greg did well,” said Hibberd.
“We were a little bit lucky as there was some rain at tea time and the ball nipped around a bit when we came to bowl.
“There was a lot of clouds in the morning but the wicket looked good. I had a brief chat with the groundsman and it wasn’t that hard a decision to bat first.
“I like playing at Devizes, it seems to suit our style of play.” Wiltshire will look for their second trophy victory when they travel to Henley-on-Thames this Sunday to play Berkshire.
Ross Crick could miss the game, which would see a recall for Wes Durston.
“If anything that will only strength our batting further,” warned Hibberd.
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