Cricket: Wiltshire’s first Minor Counties Championship match against Wales at Usk ended in a draw on Tuesday.

Despite the torrential rain in Wales on the Saturday, play started on time and James Hibberd having won the toss asked Wales to bat.

In the Wiltshire side was Andrew Caddick, who is recovering from injury and was seeking to prove his fitness for Somerset’s next match.

After Caddick had taken two early wickets there was a partnership of 191 between Tom Maynard (105) and Hugh Waters (116) and play ended at tea on the first day after a heavy shower (with some 40 overs being lost).

Wales declared on the second day after 87 overs at 357 for 8 wickets with Adam Harrison scoring 56. For Wiltshire Andrew Caddick took 3 for 108 and Steve Warner 4 for 71.

In reply Wiltshire scored 291 for 8 off their 90 overs.

Ben Walker scored 56, Michael Coles 55, Andrew Caddick 39 not out, James Hibberd 34 and Tom Morton 32.

Wales started their second innings on the third day with a lead of 66 and declared on 235 for 6 to leave Wiltshire 302 to win in a minimum of 51 overs.

For Wales Tom Maynard (103 not out) scored his second century of the match and for Wiltshire Andrew Caddick took 2 for 51 and James Hayward 2 for 27.

To make a serious attempt on this total Wiltshire needed a good start but wickets fell at regular intervals and at 71 for 5 off 25 overs, Wiltshire set about playing for a draw which was achieved with James Hayward and Tom Morton playing out the next 13 overs and Wiltshire finishing at 101 for 5 wickets.

Wales did not claim the last half hour and the match ended in a draw. Wales scored 11 points and Wiltshire 10 points.

Next Sunday (June 14th) Wiltshire play Oxfordshire in the quarter final of the MCCA Trophy at Corsham starting at 11.00am. From the team announced last week, Steve Warner injured his shoulder in the warm up before the third day’s play at Usk and could not bowl and will not be fit and Wiltshire hope that if not required by Somerset, Andrew Caddick may take his place.