Cricket: Wiltshire romped into the knockout stages of the MCCA Trophy and their captain for the day believes they can now win the trophy.

Former Corsham captain Michael Coles, now of Bridgwater, led the side to a 53 run victory in Cornwall while regular skipper James Hibberd was getting married.

The win confirmed the county’s position as sectionwinners and maintained their unblemished record in Group Three of the competition with three wins and one wash-out.

Coles was also a member of the 2005 side which were beaten in the final by Norfolk, but believes the current crop can go one better.

“We’ve still got the nucleus of that side,” he said.

“We’ve lost one or two players along the way and maybe we’ve been a bit too over-confident since then and not stuck to the basics.

“But to be blatantly honest, we’re one of the favourites to win it this year. We’re unbeaten with three wins in four games and have scored heavily in every one.

“We don’t want to get carried away and will take every game as it comes but we won’t be over-awed by any one team.

“Everyone is quite relaxed and chilled out, but confident as well. I don’t see any reason why we can’t go all the way.”

Coles chose to bat first on a slow, damp wicket and watched Westbury opener Joe Breet smash 66, including ten fours, to get the side off to a flying start.

Ex-Hampshire star Greg Lamb hit 74 before James Hayward blasted 47 at more than a run a ball to post an imposing total.

Third-placed Cornwall needed to win within 43.2 overs to make the quarter-finals but were soon 84-5 while late resistance from the tail proved to be in vain.

“Look at our batting,” said Coles. “We’ve got over 300 in the two games before this. We bat a long way down and are in a strong position as we’re not reliant on one or two players.”

Wiltshire will face either Oxfordshire or Bedfordshire in the quarter-finals at Corsham on Sunday, June 14.

They begin their three-day MCCA Championship campaign on Sunday against Wales at Usk. Hibberd will return to captain the side.

Spinner Pat Turk also returns to the squad.