Upottery’s hopes of a top three finish in D Division East were hit by the weather which washed out their match away at Sandford 2nds.

The home side opted to bat first and completed their innings, all be five overs light as rain arrived mid-innings, and Sandford closed on 204-8.

All five of the Upottery bowlers claimed at least one wicket with Ryan Pulman (2-32), Paul Wakefield (2-46) and Andrew Pulman (2-15) each bagging a brace while Lee Nessling (1-42) and James Mitcham (1-27) each claimed a single wicket.

Upottery skipper Mark Joyce was delighted with what his bowlers delivered at Creedy Park. He said: “It was a case of a job well done by the bowlers and the support fielding and it was so disappointing that the rain arrived just as we were set to go on and have a good go at chasing down that score. I really felt we would achieve a successful run chase.

“While we had tea between innings the sun was beating down, but the rain clouds were gathering and, just as we were set to go with the openers padded up and ready to start, the rain arrived and was with us for a good hour to wash away any chance of getting a finish.”

Upottery took nine points for their efforts, but no damage was done in terms of their bid for a top three finish as their two nearest rivals for that coveted spot, Barnstaple and Pilton and Chardstock both suffered similar watery fates in their respective matches.

Joyce says: “It’s ‘as we were’ in terms of the chase for a top three finish and every game is a big one over these final five weeks. What’s pleasing from my point of view is that al the players are keen to play and so availability is good and that gives us a great chance.”

On Saturday (August 4) Upottery are scheduled to host an Uplyme and Lyme Regis side that were unable to raise a team to play North Devon 2nds at the weekend.