STEVE Bilboe defied the rain to crack a maiden century for King's School and land the Duncan Fearnley Cricketer of the Week award.

While the recent unsettled weather may have ruined many a match in the past week 16-year-old Bilboe made hay before the heavens opened with a quick fire 119 including 19 fours and one six.

Although it was his first hundred for the school, Bilboe has a career total of four to date with his highest score 121 not out.

The opening batsman enjoyed reaching three figures for King's but despite the flurry of boundaries had to work for his runs.

"I started the innings well but the ball wasn't coming on to the bat and anything short sat up. It was also quite a slow outfield because of all the rain," he said.

The century came in a rain-abandoned match against Hereford Cathedral School in which King's were on course for their sixth victory of the season. They had reached 227-4 in 34 overs before proceedings were halted.

Earlier in the week Bilboe had helped King's to an eight wicket victory over King Edward's College Stourbridge with an unbeaten 60.

Bilboe's favourite player is West Indian captain Brian Lara, and the Kidderminster teenager aims to follow his steps into the professional game.

In a bid to realise that ambition Bilboe is hoping to land a place in Worcestershire's prized cricketing academy.

Rain permitting Bilboe will be in action again for King's in today's Chesterton Cup semi-final against Cheltenham.

It's a repeat of last year's final, which King's won, and Bilboe will have an extra incentive for putting in a match-winning performance after he played in last year's semi-final only to be dropped for the final.

"I played alright last year but was coming in down the order and wasn't used to it and didn't get picked for the final," he said.

n Rain not only decimated the cricket fixture programme it also wiped out the bowler of the week award because no player managed to take five wickets.