Bourton Rovers keep their powder dry at rain-drenched Rissington Road (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Bourton Rovers keep their powder dry at rain-drenched Rissington Road

THE abhorrent weather meant a saturated surface at Rissington Road was almost unplayable for Saturday Northern Senior Division One fixture.

Much of the local support stayed tucked up indoors, but those who did venture out saw a Bourton Rovers side turning in their most impressive show of the season in a four-goal demolition of Warden Hill with Mark Payne grabbing three.

It was sweet revenge for Tony Spedding's side, playing against the reigning Northern Senior League champions and the team that so emphatically beat them in last season's county Senior Cup final.

And the scoreline, if it flattered either side, flattered those from Cheltenham. Bourton created by far the clearer chances in the first period, but had only Stuart Hughes' scrambled goal, his sixth in seven league games this season, to show for their dominance.

After the Warden Hill custodian blocked Matthew Winter's follow-up following an awkward bouncing drive from Kevin McPhilimey, Winter got the ball in the net, only to be ruled out for a foul on the keeper.

And Graham Newhook, pushing up from full-back, also sliced a good chance over as Bourton adapted far better to the adverse conditions.

The second half was lit up by a Mark Payne hat-trick as the fleet- of-foot forward took advantage of the yawning gaps in the Hill defence to fire in three, well-taken goals.

The goal tally could have been even higher as Winter, Payne and Ryan Newhook all had drives that beat the goalkeeper but stuck firmly in the mud.

At the other end, meanwhile, Warden Hill's Stuart Lewis was well marshalled by Michael Hughes before limping out of the game with ten minutes to go.