Rickmansworth 272-8 drew with London Colney 56-0 – match abandoned due to rain With rain forecast for the early evening, and every indication in the clouds that the forecast was likely to be right, it seemed the only way a win could be had was to bowl fi

Rickmansworth 272-8 drew with London Colney 56-0 - match abandoned due to rain

With rain forecast for the early evening, and every indication in the clouds that the forecast was likely to be right, it seemed the only way a win could be had was to bowl first and shoot the opposition out well before tea.

Colney skipper Scott Hadley had no real choice but to invite Rickmansworth to bat first after winning the toss. That was the last point at which things went to plan as the home side, led by Khamber (52) and Zawar (85) piled on the runs, against a decidedly dispirited Colney attack.

Colney's seamers struggled, and it needed the introduction of off-spin from Matt Bristow (2-61) to break the opening partnership.

In the end, Andy Cole persisted to take 2-86, and there was a spell of 3-47 from Simon Fretter in the midst of a late assault from Rickmansworth's batsmen that lifted them to 272-8.

Tim Fretter (40), opening with brother Simon, set off at a cracking pace in reply, and the pair had passed 50 by the ninth over. By 12 overs the rain had set in, and the game was far too far away from any kind of result to make it worth continuing and was abandoned with Colney at 56 without loss. Both sides will take consolation from the fact that very few other games in the county were played to a finish, so no ground was lost.

l London Colney II's match at home to Old Clolmelians II was similarly rain affected but contained some fine cricket from both sides and finished on a much more upbeat note.

With Old Clolmelians II near the top of the table, their skipper also went for the quick win by inviting Colney to bat first and after 20 overs looked to have got it right as Gibbero (3-58) and Marine (2-66), bowling a tight and hostile line, had reduced Colney to 25-3, with any kind of score looking a remote possibility.

Sixteen-year-old Connor Dow and Paul Seymour had to set about rescuing the innings, first digging in and regrouping, and then carefully taking the attack to the visitors.

By the time Seymour was out, 38 overs later for an excellent 61, the pair had added 163 runs, a club record for the second XI fourth wicket, and Connor Dow had completed his maiden century. Connor finished on 103 not out. Colney were able to post 202-5, and not only avoid the quick defeat, but give themselves a chance of winning if the rain stayed away.

Both sides went for the win and, with a result in prospect, were content to stay on in drizzle and rain for 22 overs. Runs from Stewart (22) and Matcham (39no) kept OC's up with the clock but Connor Dow had taken 2-38 and Trevor Ray 3-35, and with the chase at 100-5, Colney were very much fancying the win themselves.

When the real rain did come however, it reduced the square to standing water in a very few minutes and the players abandoned a game they no longer had any hope of finishing.