WILTSHIRE skipper Mike Coles saluted his side as they opened the defence of their Unicorns Championship Western Division title by putting Dorset to the sword on Tuesday.

Joe King spun the visitors to a 142-run victory in their opener in Bournemouth, taking the last of the 10 home wickets they needed shortly after tea on the final day of three at Dean Park.

King took 5-79, and Ed Young 3-51, the latter also having struck a century in his side’s first innings.

“It is good to get off and running again,” said skipper Coles, who plays his club cricket for Corsham.

“All the guys are pretty confident in this format and we know we are a good match for any team.

“We got off to a really good start and were pretty comfortable right the way through the game.

“It was a long time to bat on the final day for a team without any first-class cricketers, so I was pretty confident we could get them all out.

“On the last day, Joe was superb - it was the type of bowling display we know he is capable of.

“There was quite a bit of pressure on him as the pitch was taking the spin but after a few calming words, he got his first wicket and then just went on from there.”

Trowbridge’s Mike Reynolds also hit 86 in Wiltshire’s first innings on his county debut to back up Young’s heroics.

Coles added: “Ed was really consistent all the way through the game.

“He took wickets in both innings and his 140 set us up for what turned out to be a pretty impressive total on the first day.”