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

Coming in at number nine after captain Chris Park dropped himself down the order, Hayman smashed 46 from 52 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes to help Dorset recover from 116-7 to post 170 all out.

The strong all-rounder then trapped Will Wade (8) lbw as Wiltshire found the going tough early in their first innings reply.

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

Wiltshire eventually closed on 130-6 at stumps, Jigar Naik (2-28) removing Tahir Afridi (28) to end a 43-run partnership with Bradley Dawson (13no), and the day’s play, with the away side still trailing Dorset by 40 runs with 16 wickets falling overall.

Earlier, Luke Evans and Afridi (2-20) had dismissed Dorset’s entire 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 pinned lbw by Joe King (1-30).

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