WILTSHIRE were 80 runs adrift with only two first-innings wickets in hand as the bowlers dominated day one of their Unicorns Championship Western Division clash against Cheshire at South Wilts CC today.

The home side were 147-8, replying to Cheshire's 227 all out at stumps on day one after the visitors' Richard Moore had led his side away from trouble having opted to bat.

Division leaders Wiltshire made huge early inroads to their opponents' batting order, reducing them to 23-5 just six overs into the innings.

However Moore shared stands of 82 with Daniel Berry (29) and 74 with Adam Syddall (19 not out) to lead Cheshire out of danger and an eventual 227 all out in just under 70 overs.

Tahir Afridi, with 4-60, led the bowling, Joe King contributing 3-69 and Ed Young 2-36.

Wiltshire's reply also got off to a shaky start, leaving them 81-5 at the 24-over mark.

No fewer than five of their batsmen fell victim to leg before decisions, only Young with 31, skipper Mike Coles (25) and Ashur Morrison (24) making significant contributions.

Afridi and King remained at the crease at the close, with Wiltshire needing to significantly close the gap to still have a chance of securing a result.

Syddall, Matthew Ingram and Daniel Woods each claimed two wickets.

NEWS FROM DAY TWO OF THE MATCH AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT TOMORROW AND REACTION IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND WILTSHIRE TIMES