With the 1st XI fixture lost to the weather, attention turned to The Park at the weekend where the Ross-on-Wye 2nds took on an experienced Stourport side.

Amazingly, the ground had dried remarkably well following the overnight downpours and play got underway at the scheduled start time of 1pm.

Further surprises were in store as Ross made some last minute changes to their team which strengthened the batting; Josh and Ben Element and Tim Dulson were drafted in and therefore the team were not fazed by being asked to bat first when the high flying visitors won the toss.

Richard Jeffryes and Dulson got Ross off to a quick start before the bowlers found their lines and Jeffryes (12) was bowled by Stourport skipper, and the league’s leading wicket taker, Richard Foley. Charlie Cole and Keith Flitton perished before Dulson and Josh Element batted Ross into a strong position with a series of excellent drives and pulls.

Tim Dulson went past fifty before he was well caught at mid-off for 58, allowing Ben Element in to join his brother. The Elements maintained the scoring rate and although Ben nicked to the keeper for 24, Josh continued to pepper the boundary and he reached his century to finish on 101 not out as the innings closed at 227-6.

Unfortunately, during the tea break rain returned and quickly set in forcing the game to be abandoned, denying Ross the opportunity to force a rare victory and the element of surprise was lost.