A FINE bowling display by Murray Ranger and Guy Muspratt proved in vain after Worcester's Birmingham Cricket League Division One clash with Water Orton was washed out at the Gordon Jones Memorial Ground.

Worcester had bowled themselves into a good position when it started to rain shortly before the tea interval.

Muspratt won the toss and invited the visitors to bat and they dug a deep hole for themselves stumbling to 59-6 off 25 overs with Muspratt and Ranger stealing the show.

Restored

However, Mile Showell with a dogged 50 not out and Mark Dawes with 38 restored the situation somewhat and enabled Water Orton to reach 150 all out in the 55th over.

Muspratt ending up with 2-43 and Ranger 5-30 in a controlled spell of seam bowling.

With rain falling the pitch was covered during tea, but there was no let up in the dismal conditions.

Umpires John Nash and Peter Taylor eventually abandoned play at 6.20pm. Worcester took eight points to Water Orton's five.

Before the game at Worcester, a minute's silence was held in memory of Graham Williamson, the former Birminghham League Chairman who passed away last week.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday at Hampton-in-Arden.

Worcester's second XI managed to complete their game in Division Two West at Redditch and a fine win enabled them to stay top of the table.

Redditch were asked to bat first by Dorm Cook on winning the toss and a thoroughly good fielding performance saw Worcester rout Redditch for only 147.

Destroyers-in-chief were Andrew Van-vuuren with 4-23 and veteran off spinner Bryan Clarke with 3-11.

With rain threatening Worcester put their foot on the accelerator pedal when they batted with Van-vuuren completing a fine game by blasting 76 in even time.

The mantle was then taken up by Paul Symmonds who made a stylish 41 not out to see his side to 148-3 in the 24th over for a fine victory.

Worcester took 20 points to Redditch's two.