RAIN was all too much in evidence on Saturday, and perhaps deprived both 1st and 2nd X1s of wins from strong positions.

COOKLEY V WORCESTER NOMADS

The 1st XI invited the home side to bat first on a green wicket at Cookley, but despite being unable to score quickly, the hosts rode their luck a little without actually losing wickets. Snowball finally skied Wooler who took the return catch, and suddenly Nomads stepped up a gear as Cookley sought to make quick runs.

Wooler then removed the remaining opener, Dixon (80) and Cookley found their batting somewhat exposed, particularly with the return of Jinks (3-64) and Ollie Griffiths (4-28) to the attack, as the rain began to fall.

Nomads were delighted to complete their 50 overs with Cookley on only 206-9.

The clouds continued to build up, and Nomads sensed the need to make quick runs.

Derek Austin promoted to open got the side off to a dream start, smashing 32 in 26 deliveries, and Steve Bowman continued the onslaught, despite a huge appeal when shouldering arms off the first ball.

He more than made up for it with a blistering 36, including two towering straight sixes.

Jones (39no) was also in good form, as Nomads overtook the target needed for a winning draw, having lost four overs at the start of their innings.

It wasn't to be however, as the rain got progressively worse, and with just four more overs needed for a result, the game was abandoned.