This summer's wet weather has led to 72 more abandonments in the Cherwell League than at the equivalent stage last year.

After eight rounds of matches in 2006, 59 fixtures had fallen to the weather, while today the figure stands at 131.

At this point last year, only Kidlington 4th had seen rain stop play more than twice, but 21 sides have suffered that fate four times in 2007.

And spare a thought for Division 9A basement boys Thame Town 3rd, who have lost five of their seven matches to the weather.

Had they won three of these, they could have been sitting at the top of the pile.

League secretary Peter Tomlin said: "It's the worst season I can remember and I have been doing this for eight or nine years.

"It is quite amazing and there's no play guaranteed for this weekend.

"In these situations, it is still normally the team who wins the most matches who are the champions, but some teams get lucky.

"I think the problem is now that so many clubs have not been able to get onto their grounds to do any work."

Banbury 2nd stole a march on their title rivals by beating Bicester & North Oxford on Saturday, but they have also been the luckiest team in Division 1, having seen just one game abandoned.

Immediately behind them, Buckingham, Oxford Downs have seen rain stop play three times with fourth-placed Cumnor suffering on four occasions.

What effect might this have come September?

A glance at last season's final table shows champions Aston Rowant and runners-up Buckingham had only three abandonments with third-placed Banbury Twenty on two.

Downs suffered the worse, losing five matches to the weather - they will be hoping lightning doesen't strike twice.

In other divisions, the impact of bad weather is shown by the leaders' points tallies.

At this stage last year, Cumnor topped Division 2 with 209 points, while 2007 leaders Abingdon Vale have 157.

In Division 5, top dogs Shipton 2nd are on 164 compared with Stokenchurch's 208 last year.

Down in Division 9A, Stokenchurch 2nd lead with 150 points - 70 less than Kimble 2nd had in 2006.