A heavy shower came to Aston Rowant’s rescue in their crucial Division 2 West relegation battle at home to Radlett on Saturday in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

With the rest of the league programme wiped out without a ball bowled, Rowant’s groundstaff made determined efforts to get the game played.

Eventually umpires Peter Tomlin and Don Brooks agreed to a shortened game starting 135 minutes late at 1.45pm.

But in the play that was possible, Rowant, who were in-serted after losing the toss, slumped to 61-6 of 23 overs before play was washed out for the day.

Rowant skipper Wes Morrick soon went for a duck , caught behinmd of Matt Corran.

It soon became 16-3 when Adam Cossins fell to bthe prolfic Shamer Burger anmd Chris watling was castled by Corran for two.

Opener Tim Morgan and Austrlian import Aaron Todd batted with relative freedom , adding 39 for the fourth wicket before Todd fell to Burger for 24.

Karl openhale did not last long and Rowant’s innings looked in tatters when Morgan was trapped leg before by Heath Paynter.

With Rowant already trailing their visitors by seven points in the table, this was a crisis for the Oxfordshire club.

But the next heavy shower washed out the game.

This leaves Rowant still in the relegation game with two games to go, although the teams above them are closely bunched.

Oxford’s hopes of the title have virtually disappeared after not a ball was bowled in their match at Harpenden.

Banbury’s match at home to Henley was also cancelled, along with Thame Town’s contestat home to Harefield in Divison 2 West.