TAHIR Afridi struck three times before the close to leave Wiltshire's Unicorns Championship Western Division clash with Devon delicately poised at South Wilts CC yesterday.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Wiltshire were dismissed for 208 inside their alotted 90 overs but, led by Afridi, had Devon at 84-5 at stumps on day one.

Wiltshire's total was built around partnerships of 50 for the third wicket between Trowbridge's Billy Cookson (33) and South Wilts' Will Wade (69), who then shared a stand of 47 for the seventh with Trowbridge's Mike Reynolds (33).

Devon spinner Toby Codd was the chief thorn in their side, taking 4-27, while visiting skipper Josh Bess took 3-30.

Opener Tom Ansell hit 32 at the top of the away side's reply, but wickets fell steadily as Afridi (3-37) and Swindon's Jake Goodwin (2-10) exposed the middle order before play ended for the day.