RAIN was the winner at Old Vigornians’ temporary home ground at Peopleton in Worcestershire Cricket League Division Three.

After fellow high-fliers Harborne thirds were put into bat and scored 280-7 from 50 overs, the in-form Worcester club’s batsmen eyed a successful run chase only to be denied by the weather.

The Birmingham side got off to a good start thanks to openers Ben Langdell (52) and Ian Powick (72) before Saiful Islam hit 49 and Jamie Hall 55 not out.

Azmat Riaz led OVs’ attack with 3-43 from 17 overs, while youngsters Angus Guthrie and Alex Parker picked up two wickets each.

OVs remain joint third in the table alongside Rushwick, whose game with Malvern was also abandoned after one innings.

The seconds managed to hold out for 50 overs after being put into bat at leaders Chaddesley Corbett.

A dogged innings by OVs’ Tony Meek saw him carry his bat for 46no off 50 overs.

He was supported by Dave Mendham with 11 boundaries in his 56 and Tim Race’s innings of 26 as they bagged a valuable batting point.

The other six OVs batsmen could only score seven runs between them.

Chaddesley’s bowlers dominated with Nigel Middleton conceding just 11 runs from 12 overs, Chris Walder picking up 3-31 and Ibby Hussain taking 4-33, including a hat-trick.

If OVs, who were 102-7 after 36 overs, had failed to bat their allocation, Chaddesley could have won before the rain set in.

But, with the villagers on 53-1 off 11 overs, the players came off and could not get back on again.