WILTSHIRE got off the mark in the inter-county matchplay championship at South West Week today as they defeated Dorset 9-5 in the second of their five matches at Royal North Devon GC.

Pete Bicknell's county side, defeated 8.25-5.75 by Somerset on day one on Sunday, roared back to take first command of their clash with Dorset by winning five of the eight morning singles.

Marlborough's England U18 boys champion Ben Amor, Bowood's Garry Slade, Corey Sheppard (High Post), Yoshio Takeuchi (Broome Manor), Simon Futcher (Marlborough) and Jack Charman (North Wilts) were all triumphant, with Ali James (Cumberwell Park) and Henry Pallas (Hamptsworth earning halves.

Only North Wilts' Jack Charman was defeated and Wiltshire then wrapped up victory by sharing the afternoon foursomes 3-3, Cumberwell Park's Ben Stow and Wiltshire vice-captain Paul Green (Marlborough) and Takeuchi and Futcher registering wins.

The matchplay format takes a break tomorrow with the South West Amateur Strokeplay Championship taking place, as well as the South West qualifer for the national county finals that Wiltshire won in 2011 and 2012.

NEWS FROM DAY THREE AT SOUTH WEST WEEK TOMORROW AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND WILTSHIRE TIMES