ED Young was pleased that Wiltshire and Cornwall constructed up a competitive game this week, even if the county side were unable to hand departing captain Michael Coles a joyous farewell.

During a rain-affected Western Division clash at Corsham, both teams declared after carding 276-9 in their respective opening innings but Wiltshire were then bowled out for 244, with Cornwall surpassing that target in the 52nd over of their reply to condemn the hosts to their second defeat of the season.

Vice-captain Young is set to succeed Coles, who is retiring from the three-day game, as county skipper for the remainder of the 2016 season – although he misses the trip to Devon, which begins on July 3.

“The reason that we play is to try and win games, so I think that it was best for everyone that we created a situation where both teams could try and go for a result,” said Young.

“There was a lot of rain and at the end of the day, I don’t think anybody wanted the match to peter out, so I think that it was best that we both gave ourselves the best chance of winning.

“It was a little bit of a shame to end on that note because we wanted to send Mike Coles off on a high.

“He’s played Minor Counties cricket for 13 years and it’s a bit of a shame that we couldn’t send him off with a positive result but he’s had plenty of positive messages on social media and that’s what he deserves after such a great Wiltshire career.

“I can’t play in the next game due to work commitments – Ash Morrison will be the captain for that one – but I’m being upgraded to the captain’s role for the last few games and it’s very nice to be given the honour of captaining the county.

“I’ve not been in a captain’s role since playing for Oxford MCCU in 2011 but it’s not something that phases me and I’m hoping that the experience I’ve got from the cricket that I’ve played will benefit the side.”

Jon Sore (54 not out) and Tahir Afridi (52) were the biggest hitters in Wiltshire’s opening innings whilst Christian Purchase (66), Brad Wadlan (53) and Paul Smith (51) led the way for Cornwall.

Fine bowling from James Turpin (3-45) held the hosts back during their second spell before man-of-the-moment Coles hit 61 and Afridi chipped in with another unbeaten half-century (54) before his team were dismissed in the 61st over.

But Cornwall skipper Matthew Robins (78) and Greg Smith (66) guided the visitors to 248-6.