WILTSHIRE exited the Minor Counties Knockout Cup after suffering a disappointing 76-run defeat to Buckinghamshire at Chippenham on Sunday.

With rain threatening and the possibility of a rain reduced match, skipper Russell Rowe won the toss and invited the visitors to bat.

Buckinghamshire made slow, but steady progress and their innings was held together by their captain, Paul Atkins, who made an outstanding 103 out of the total of 214-7 off the 50 overs. James Hibberd took 2-25 and Kevin Nash 2-37.

But Wiltshire began badly, losing Rowe, who had scored a century the week before, for just one and the remaining batsmen were unable to score quickly enough against steady bowling on a slow wicket.

Richard Bates scored 33, Kevin Blackburn 22, Neil Shardlow 21 and Chris Budd 17 but they were eventually all out for 138 with five overs remaining.

Wiltshire face Herefordshire at Corsham on June 22-24 in their next Minor Counties Championship fixture.