WILTSHIRE'S hopes of progress in the Unicorns KO Trophy suffered a hammer blow as they went down to an eight-wicket against Hertfordshire yesterday.

The visitors, who posted a competitive 292-8 off their 50 overs, were ultimately undone by a superb opening partnership in the reply between the hosts' Steve Gale and Jamie Southgate.

Gale hit 143 off 136 balls, while Southgate contributed 89 from 96 in a superb opening stand of 217.

Gale went on to share a second-wicket stand of 49 with Daniel Blacktopp (20 not out) before being caught by Wes Durston off the bowling of James Arney but Reece Hussain (23 not out) helped Hertfordshire home with more than four overs to spare.

Earlier, wicketkeeper Tom Morton had hit 122 from 116 deliveries in Wiltshire's innings, but only Jake Lintott (46) was able to significantly contribute further.

REACTION TO WILTSHIRE'S DEFEAT IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND WILTSHIRE TIMES