THE match was delicately poised when rain intervened at 6.30 pm.

Coppice had batted first, and posted 186 for 5 declared on the board in the 41st over.

Mick Atkinson 19 had given Coppice an opening partnership of 51 with Graham Cordiner who went on to make 58.

Dalton Cowley continued the good start and was 84 not out when the declaration came at the fall of the 5th wicket at 186. Whittle lost a wicket in the first over but recovered to 96 for 3 when the rain came with Ken Fazackerley unbeaten on 48. The final score was White Coppice 186 for 5 dec, Whittle-le-Woods 96 for 3 rsp.

Meanwhile the 2nd teams enjoyed an exciting game which ended with Whittle-le-Woods 2nd, 122, White Coppice 2nd, 162 for 8 dec.

Coppice seconds recovered from 0 for 2 to reach 162 for 8 declared in 43 overs, and then bowl out Whittle seconds for 122 just as the rain came. Dave Jones with 89 not out was the backbone of the Coppice innings and obtained support from Barry Watkins with 31. The Whittle batsmen had no answer to the bowling of Mick Brown who finished with 7 for 40 in 20 overs, and Paul Miller 2 for 39. Ian Topping top scored for Whittle with 26 and Coppice maintained their quest for league honours with a 46 run victory.