'THE battle for first and second place in Worcestershire League Division Three saw Kidderminster Victoria increase their lead to 47 points with a winning draw with Lye, the match having to be abandoned due to bad weather.

Lye won the toss and asked the home side to bat first.

Captain David Mitchell was again in form with an innings of 68 and Alex Roden and Paul Thomas scored 27 apiece.

A quick 19 from Glyn Thomas and a contribution of 21no from Simon Cook helped Victoria to 222-9 in their allotted overs.

In reply the usually aggressive Ishtiaq was dismissed by first change bowler Kevin Amos with a brilliant one-handed catch, giving Amos the pleasure of a "caught and bowled" for just nine runs.

Fellow opener Izise scored 58 before being caught by Mitchell off Thomas, then at 106-2 the rain began.

The match was eventually abandoned at 8.15pm, Victoria taking 12 points to Lye's six.

KCVC 222-9, Lye 106-2.

The result of the seconds encounter brought a five-wicket victory for Lye, the match being played in atrocious weather, with players unable to hold their footing, and without official umpires.

Victoria batted first and scored 157-7 with Chris Humphries making 38 and Steven Yarsley 32, plus a patient 29 from Fern Bagley.

Despite the poor conditions, Lye insisted on playing on and finished on 159-5.