WILTSHIRE suffered a 76-run defeat against Buckinghamshire in the Minor Counties Knockout Cup at Chippenham on Sunday.

Having won the toss Wilts put Bucks into bat and the visitors made slow but steady progress and their innings, held together by captain Paul Atkins, who made an outstanding 103 as Bucks closed on 214-7.

James Hibberd took 2-25 and Kevin Nash 2-37 for Wilts.

Wiltshire started their reply badly, losing Russel Rowe for just one run and the remaining batsmen were unable to score quickly enough. Wiltshire were all out for 138 with five overs remaining.

Top scorer was Richard Bates who managed 33, followed by Kevin Blackburn (22), Neil Shardlow (21) and Chris Budd (17).

Wiltshire's next match is a three-day Minor Counties Championship match against Herefordshire at Corsham on June 22, 23 and 24.