DORSET’S James Hayman led a superb response from Dorset on the opening day of their MCCA Championship Western Division clash with Wiltshire at Sherborne School, writes NEIL WALTON.

Coming in at number nine after captain Chris Park dropped himself down the order, Hayman smashed 46 from 52 balls to help Dorset recover from 116 for seven to post 170 all out.

The all-rounder then trapped Will Wade lbw as Wiltshire found the going tough early in their first innings reply.

Mark Wolstenholme (2-23) supported Hayman’s breakthrough, removing the settled Ben Draper (27) after Josh McCoy had bowled Wiltshire skipper Ed Young for 35.

Wiltshire eventually closed on 130 for six at stumps, Jigar Naik (2-28) removing Tahir Afridi (28) to leave the away side trailing by 40 runs.

Earlier, Luke Evans and Afridi (2-20) had dismissed Dorset’s top order between them with only Luke Webb (13) managing double figures.

Scott Currie (35) stroked six boundaries to lead Dorset’s riposte, sharing a 79-run stand with McCoy (29) until the former was trapped lbw by Joe King.

Paceman Evans (6-55), who bowled a hefty 20 overs, was rewarded for his efforts with six for 55, mopping up the hosts’ tail around the battling Hayman as Wiltshire bowled their opponents out in 54.5 overs.