JUST two matches were played as the rain hit the Worcestershire Cricket League programme.

After a promising start to this year’s win-lose format the previous weekend and only three abandoned matches in the first seven weeks of the season, only two survived, both in Herefordshire, from a list of 70.

Division One leaders Pershore were rewarded for their patience after travelling to Bromyard and watching the last of the drizzle with a 30-overs-a-side match starting just before 4pm, long after most other games had been given up on due to the rain.

Pershore won the toss and unsurprisingly inserted Bromyard, who were immediately in trouble against the tight bowling of Taylor Pugh.

He returned figures of 6-6 as Bromyard were dismissed for 58 in 22.3 overs.

The visitors then took under nine overs to pass the target with Adam Wiffen making 31 not out and they returned home happy to hear nobody else had even bowled a ball in the division.

Pugh is certainly repaying the faith Pershore demonstrated, when they worked so hard to obtain permission for him to play for them, and has now taken 26 wickets in six matches, which have all resulted in victories.

This has taken his new team to the top of the division, some 27 points clear of the field after their latest win.

The only other game played was at Ross-on-Wye in Division Three against Avoncroft.

The match started on time and Ross may have initially doubted their decision to insert their visitors as David James (97) and Craig Hughes (57) put on 152 for the first wicket.

However, the Ross bowlers chipped away once the partnership was broken and three wickets apiece for Harry Porter and Jack Donovan contributed to dismissing Avoncroft for 216 in 45 overs.

In reply, Ross had James Tiffen’s 84 and Porter’s 50 to thank for steering them to a two-wicket win with just under 10 overs left, which moved them away from the relegation zone.