WILTSHIRE made a winning start to their 2017 season, wrapping up victories in both of their opening pre-season friendly matches.

On Saturday, they beat Gloucestershire 2nd XI at South Wilts by five wickets before beating Frocester on the road by three wickets on Sunday.

Wiltshire team manager Neil Shardlow said: “I’m very positive after the weekend and very pleased with the results of both matches.

“The main thing was to get the players back out in the middle, batting, bowling and fielding again.

“I am a firm believer that winning is a habit, so this is a really good start.”

On Saturday, Gloucestershire won the toss and were bowled out for 100 in 35 overs, Andy Carroll taking 5-19 and Jake Lintott 3-17.

In reply, Wiltshire lost three early wickets but a stand of 61 between skipper Ed Young (38) and Brannon Varley (39) took them to the brink of victory and they finished on 103-5 in 28.2 overs.

On Sunday, Frocester won the toss and scored 249-8 in their 45 overs.

Louis Gegg retired on 100 and Nick Trainor added 54, while there were two wickets each for Lintott, James Arney and Mike Reynolds.

In reply, Wiltshire reached their target off 42.4 overs, scoring 252-7, which was thanks chiefly to Wes Durston’s 110.

Shardlow added: “It was a great display of seam bowling from Andy Carroll against Gloucestershire.

“The pitch offered a bit for him but he put the ball in good areas and ripped the heart out of their early order.

“And it was a fantastic innings from Wes Durston on the Sunday.

“It is great to have Wes back in our team. He gives us a lot of knowledge and experience with our batting and he will be great for the young players to learn from.”

This weekend, Wiltshire play their two final warm-up matches. On Sunday, they defend the Marlborough Cup against Berkshire at North Maidenhead and the next day, they travel to North Perrott to play Dorset in a friendly.