WILTSHIRE escaped the rain on the first day of their Minor Counties Championship match against Wales at the South Wilts club yesterday.
And their batsmen also escaped the clutches of the visiting field as they posted a formidable 354 total in Salisbury.
Bridgwater batsman Michael Coles led the way with 111, while Baqar Rizvi fell just four short of his century.
The pair dominated the day with a 159-run fourth-wicket partnership.
The innings got off to a bad start with the early loss of opener Chris Budd.
Skipper Russell Rowe (30) and Richard Foley (15) steadied the ship, however, before Coles and Rizvi forged their sizeable stand.
Steve Perrin (30) and Richard Bedbrook (38) continued the momentum as Wiltshire set their visitors a daunting target.
Welsh openers Dan Cherry and Rees made a diligent start to the reply, before Foley made the breakthrough by bowling the latter for 30 with the score on 88.
Wales eventually closed on 96-1 Cherry unbeaten on 50 and Wiltshire will be looking to make early inroads today if they are to capitalise on yesterday's impressive innings and triumph over the next two days.
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