A heavy downpour at around tea-time on Saturday, brought an early end to almost the enitre local club cricket programme on Saturday with matches invoving Finchley, Brondesbury, Stanmore and Barnet all abandoned.

But Old Finchleians had plenty to smile about as they managed to beat the rain and Hertford II.

Finchley 233-4 dec.

Uxbridge 25-3 (abandoned)

Middlesex County League

Premier Division

Finchley had Uxbridge reeling at 5-3, only to be robbed by the rain.

The visitors' recently-formed opening pairing of Peter Sogbodjor (49) and Sid Nair (37) again proved a success in stand of 85, before Nair gave a return catch to Patel and Sogbodjor soon followed. Keerthi Ranasinghe (71) continued his recent good form, with support from Andy Greig (45no) and Finchley declared at 233-4, off 60 overs.

Roger Ford (2-7) and Steve Blyghton provided the shocks but with Uxbridge 25-3 after 14 overs, torrential rain fell, robbing Finchley of a likely victory.

Rain prevented play in the Ibex Cup match between holders Finchley and Eastcote on Sunday, and they will be trying again at Eastcote on Sunday. Finchley have a home league game with Richmond on Saturday.

Brondesbury's home game with Winchmore Hill suffered the same fate. After the visitors declared at 213-6, Brondesbury were 56 without loss when the rain came.