WILTSHIRE batsman Neil Clark has the long game in mind as he looks to help the county construct a springboard for next summer by finishing the season with a flourish.

Clark was one of three Wiltshire players to hit a century as they bested Herefordshire by 66 runs in their penultimate game of their Unicorns Championship Western Division campaign this week.

Wiltshire have fallen short in their efforts to defend their 2014 Western Division title but could still finish third in the table if they can upset title-chasers Oxfordshire at Devizes on August 16-18, something that Clark is targeting.

“We’re not going to catch the sides at the top but we’re playing for pride and it’s all about momentum for us,” said Clark.

“If we can finish the season with some good results, that should set us up for the next one. I’m still motivated and I enjoy the games.

“We wanted to go out and express ourselves against Herefordshire and we were in a little bit of trouble before Mike (Coles) and Pat (Grieshaber) got some big scores.

“The game was still close before our second innings and the plan was just to take it 15 minutes by 15 minutes and aim for a lead of 280 runs but then myself and Pat got us ahead of the game before we managed to bowl them out.

“The game against Oxfordshire will be an exciting one because they’ll be going all out to win and that could create some opportunities for us.

“I want to help Wiltshire finish third and also get Potterne promoted.”

Batting first at South Wilts, the hosts found themselves under pressure at 135-5 but captain Michael Coles stepped up and plundered a hefty 155 before Gloucestershire academy youngster Patrick Grieshaber also came to the fore with an unbeaten 112 as Wiltshire posted 392-8.

Herefordshire hit back as they reached 329 from their first innings, Joe King taking three wickets as the visitors were dismissed in the 87th over.

Clark then starred with 110 as Wiltshire notched up 267 from their second spell at the crease, with the hosts dismissed after 66 overs before Tahir Afridi ended with 6-88 and King took 3-73 to see off Herefordshire for 264.