WILTSHIRE boss Neil Shardlow saluted the batting heroics of two of his bowlers as the county’s brave fightback ended in another Minor Counties Championship Western Division defeat at Trowbridge.

After being on the verge of defeat to Cheshire before lunch on the third day, Wiltshire eventually lost by five wickets with only 11 balls remaining in the match.

The fightback was led by Ashur Morrison and Paul Robbins – both playing only their second Championship matches.

They proceeded to break the Wiltshire record for an eighth wicket stand (previously 128) as they put on 214 before Robbins was out for 101.

Cheshire were set 144 to win in 18 overs which they reached with 11 balls remaining with five wickets down.

Shardlow said: “Looking back at it, we lost the game in two sessions – the last one on the second day (Monday) and the first one on the third.

“But I was really proud of the two lads Ashur and Paul because they are primarily bowlers.

“They batted very well indeed and put us right back into the game, in terms of trying to get a draw.’’ The home side made inroads into the Cheshire second innings before the visitors closed out victory and Shardlow added: “We dropped two catches in the first three overs and their lads (Chris Tipper) went on to score 42.

“Had they stuck, there could have been a different complexion on the game.’’ Wiltshire won the toss and batted on day one but play was restricted to only 31 overs by rain during which time they reached 81-2.

The second day brought another home batting collapse as they were all out for 206 in 81 overs.

Jayden Levitt again dominated the innings, scoring 102 and had a partnership of 85 with Chris Benham (30) for the third wicket after which the remaining batting subsided.

For Cheshire, Richard Logan took 4-68, Adam Syddall 3-76 and Danny Woods 3-23.

By close of the second day Cheshire had reached 344-6 and they continued their innings on the third, declaring at 381-8 in 85 overs.

Lee Dixon scored 109, Tipper 43, Jonny Kettle 51 and Dan Berry 52.

For Wiltshire, Steve Warner took 3-72 and Tahir Afridi 3-114. Wiltshire started their second innings and were soon in trouble, slumping to 91-7 before lunch.

Morrison and Robbins turned it around, Wiltshire being finally all out for 318 with Morrison not out on 121, Logan taking 4-107 and Syddall 3-86.

Cheshire were set 144 to win in 18 overs which they reached with 11 balls remaining for the loss of five wickets.

As well as Tipper’s 42, James Duffy hit 37, Tahir Afridi taking 2-65.

Wiltshire conclude their Minor Counties Championship commitments for the season with a trip to Shropshire on August 21-23.

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