PERSHORE'S cricketers finally bowled a ball in anger after a second successive Crusader Worces-tershire County League washout.

Both first and second team fixtures against Luctonians fell victim to the weather - a fate that also befell Evesham's two senior sides who were scheduled to face Droitwich Spa.

Pershore took out their frustration on Monday's hosts Barnards Green, who could only muster 89 in the league Knockout.

Martin Johnson took two wickets, while Arno Botha took a wicket with his first delivery in a competitive match on English soil.

The visitors encountered few problems in claiming victory with Stephen Cooper hitting an unbeaten 38 and Botha 20 not out.

However, the rain relented to allow Evesham to win a friendly contest at Banbury on Sunday.

The visitors' bowling attack tore into the Oxfordshire batting and a target of 94 proved no problem with Stuart Berry (31) and Barry Clements (43no) seeing Evesham home.

Francois Nell (2-5), Sean Howard (3-11) and Jon Gregory (4-22) did the damage, while Quinn Jones conceded only ten runs in nine immaculate overs.

Evesham's third team beat the elements in registering a Cotswold Hills League win at Harvington, while the Sunday Henricians outfit defeated Offenham.

Craig Jennings was the villagers' destroyer-in-chief after taking six wickets for just six runs from eight overs as Offenham were skittled for 75 in reply to the Evesham side's 120. Mark Prudden hit a half-century.

The weather also affected the start of the Cotswold Hills League with ten matches abandoned without a ball being bowled.

For a comprehensive report on all last weekend's cricket action turn to page 86.