THE Division One title in the SweetFuels Cotswold & District Cricket Association will now be decided on the final Saturday when leaders Oaksey entertain Oakridge and second-placed Adlestrop visit South Cerney.

A combination of rain and player shortages made it a particularly frustrating weekend for several clubs, none more so than Cricklade who are out of the title without bowling a ball in their final scheduled match.

The key title challenger clash between Adlestrop and Cricklade fell victim to the thunderstorms which swept through the district.

The news from Oaksey would have added to this frustration since their scheduled opponents Longborough & Sezincote were unable to raise a side and had to forfeit their second consecutive match, gifting Oaksey the 20 points.

The same bad news also hit fourth-placed Barnsley Beeches whose expected opponents Oakridge also failed to raise a side and forfeited the match.

Only one match was completed when Sherston Magna consolidated their mid-table position with a comfortable win against visitors South Cerney at Pinkney Park.

Both sides are to be congratulated for their patience as they watched a torrential storm flood the ground then waited for an hour and a half before agreeing a 28-over match on a dry pitch which had been covered throughout.

This is exactly what the ECB “get the game on” campaign is all about.

After being invited to bat Sherston made the most of the improving conditions by posting an impressive 189-5 off their 28 overs. Andy Jarvis (69) and D Nelson (65) led the way with an excellent partnership as the wickets were shared around the visiting bowlers.

After the break the in-form South Cerney opener Garrick Chivers (66) set the tone with an aggressive knock but only Dan Mobley (25) provided sustained support and the visitors fell 39 runs short on 150-8 at the close.

Control was the key as Sherston bowlers J Burrands 3-49, D Nelson 2-22 and Simon Hulance (2-45) did the damage.