THE RAIN failed to save Wiltshire from a heavy defeat in their final Minor Counties Championship game of the 2004 season.

They went down by an innings and 114 runs to Devon at Exmouth, who following this win are crowned Western Divisional Champions and will meet the eastern winners in the grand final next month.

Bowled out for a paltry 103 in their first innings and facing a deficit of 227 after Devon declared on 330-7, Wiltshire continued to struggle badly on day three.

Played started on time yesterday morning with Wiltshire resuming on 19-0 in their second innings.

The teams were forced off for rain again however it could not help Wiltshire's cause.

They were skittled out between the showers for 113 only a 10 run improvement on their first innings.

Bridgwater's Michael Coles with 39 runs and South Wilts Jon Chandler 21 were the only worthwjhile contributions with the bat.

For the hosts Ian Bishop took 4-6 while Andy Procter bagged 3-30.

It was a very disappointing ending to the 2004 campaign after the win over Shropshire in the previous.

It also looks like Wiltshire will now miss out on a lucrative place in next year's C&G Trophy.

n Summary: Wiltshire 103 (N Hancock 4-47, T Anning 4-32) & 113 (N Coles 39, I Bishop 4-6, A Procter 3-30) Devon 330-7 dec (A Suppiah 108, R Dawson 81, A Pugh 49, N Hancock 66; K Nash 3-106). Devon won by an innings and 114 runs. Devon 24pts, Wiltshire 3.