AFTER putting the Channel Islands into bat, Wiltshire contained the scoring rate, with an excellent return to form by Des Jeffery (South Newton), who conceded only five runs from nine overs.

After 32 overs the Channel Isles had crawled to 75 for five but an onslaught on the Wiltshire bowling produced a flurry of runs of which 60 were scored off the last five overs, with John Beasely (69 not out) the main destroyer.

Chasing 176 to win, Wiltshire's batting went in fits and starts. Brian White disappointed for the first this year, being bamboozled by a devious full toss.

Good innings from skipper Geoff Pascoe (Malmsbury) and Rod Smith (Wootton Bassett), with an aggressive innings peppered with some outstanding drives from Peter Hagelthorn , who finished with 46, kept Wiltshire in the hunt, but all to no avail as they were bowled out for 144, with Adrian Burket taking four for 23.