A finely balanced match was disappointingly brought to a premature close by a torrential downpour after the tea interval which rendered the square unplayable and leaves Bowden 2nd XI all but relegated with two league matches left this campaign.
Play itself was delayed by an hour at the start of the game which meant that the match was reduced to 35 overs per side. St Michaels won the toss and elected to field first and try to make some early inroads into the home teams batting. Captain Simon Linsell (16) and Fergus Kenny (62) had other ideas and set about the visitor’s bowling attack positively, quickly racing to a partnership of 42 before the first wicket fell. Ash Broughton (5) and Andy Marshall (3) were unable to support Kenny for any great time and the quick loss of Ross Gins (0) and Ben Moss (8) left the home side in danger of falling well short of a competitive score.
However, Steve Bellamy (39 not out) and Jack Rose (40 not out) enjoyed a hugely entertaining partnership of 85 in the last 10 overs as the home side posted an excellent 188 for 6 in their 35 overs. Rose was particular severe on the bowling attack, twice depositing the seamers onto the railway line.
The St Michaels reply was only 8 overs old when the cloud burst came. Such was the deluge that the square was quickly underwater and without any further prospect of play the captains and umpire abandoned the match.