RAIN was the winner as Abingdon Vale’s Cherwell League Division 2 match at home to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts was abandoned.

Vale had worked themselves into a strong position, with left-arm spinner Paul White taking 4-14 in 11.3 overs and Jonathan Jenkinson and Matthew Darley also claiming two wickets apiece as Nondies were shot out for a paltry 117.

But there was no opportunity for Vale to reply as the heavens opened to force an abandonment.

It was a similar story elsewhere in the league.

Conor Jones shone with the ball for Challow & Childrey as his 3-36 helped to restrict hosts Oxford 2nd to 161-9.

Ross Packham and George Trewby took two wickets each, but the rain intervened.

Aiden Kammel returned magnificent figures of 8-38, only for the rain to scupper Didcot’s chances at home to Cublington in Division 3.

Kammel’s superb haul reduced the visitors to 94 all out inside 25 overs.

But once again the wet weather put paid to any hopes of a run chase.

In Division 5, Didcot 2nd managed to grab a nine-wicket win at Kingston Bagpuize before the rain came.

They bowled their hosts out for just 67 in 26 overs, before Peter Sharp (27no) and Kieran Beesley (24) led Didcot to 68-1 inside 15 overs.

Abingdon Vale 2nd’s fixture at Thame Town 2nd was another ruined by the weather.

But Vale were grateful for it halting Thame’s impressive opening.

Guy Holmes had top-scored for Thame with 65 not out and Ed Barnett hit 53 not out to leave the hosts handily placed on 170-3 before rain stopped play.