Clash at the top is thwarted by rain

Temple Cloud’s eagerly awaited top of the table show- down with Yeovil ended in frustration as persistent rain forced the match to be aban- doned, cutting short what had promised to be a thrilling con- test.

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After choosing to bat, Temple made a strong start and reached 157-2 at drinks. Lucas Hales looked in fine touch with a fluent 44, while Gary Filer added a confident 43 and Charlie Ward chipped in with a valuable 22.

The game then took a sharp turn as Yeovil’s bowlers capitalised on the increasingly overcast conditions, sparking a collapse which saw Temple lose their last eight wickets for just 35 runs. They finished on a modest 192 all out.

Yeovil’s reply got off to a cautious start under increasingly ominous skies. They reached 71-4 after 16 overs but, with Temple sensing a real opportunity to push for a crucial win, the weather intervened decisively to leave the match abandoned.

Despite the disappointment, Temple maintain their place at the top of the league with a 17-point cushion.

The second side travelled to Wedmore 2nd, hoping to avoid the weather disruptions. Play began on time, with Wedmore opting to bat, and Temple made early inroads to reduce their hosts to 13-2.

A solid partnership helped steady the innings, with Wood going on to score a brilliant 107. Temple chipped away at the wickets though and Wedmore ended on a strong 232-7 in a rain-affected innings.

In reply, Temple lost Appleyard early and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Brooks and Raisbeck staged a brief fight back, guiding the visitors to 83-3 at halfway.

Further rain shortened Temple's chase and, after the middle-order faltered, Arbery and Brooks (58*) batted out the remaining overs to secure a draw.

That resilience keeps Temple firmly in the title race as both sides picked up valuable points.

MIDSOMER NORTON were 5.2 overs into their reply before the localised rain forced an abandonment at home to Weston-super-Mare in Prem 2 Bristol/Som of the West of England Premier League.