Weather-conscious West Bromwich Dartmouth once again evaded the rain sufficiently to open up a gap at the top of the Birmingham Midshires League.
On a day when all 24 games in the top four divisions were rain-affected and half were lost completely, Dartmouth were the ones who made the most of what cricket they were allowed to play. And, although restricted to 25 overs a side at Shrewsbury, they were helped on their way to victory with significant contributions from their two contracted Warwickshire players, Moeen Ali and Naqaash Tahir.
Naqaash bowled unchanged for 12 overs at London Road to take three for 37 in restricting the home side to 97 for seven. Then their other young Bear did the business with the bat, Moeen top-scoring with 44, backed up by 25 from Huw Jones, as Dartmouth reached their target with just three balls to spare.
That was rough luck on home skipper Jon Anders, who picked up his first Birmingham Midshires man-of-the-match award after top-scoring on 34 with the bat, before picking up three for 19 with his off-spinners. And while a second defeat in three games leaves Shrewsbury bottom, a second victory in three has earned Dartmouth a 14-point cushion at the top.
It is still early days but the big question now is whether Naheem Saijad's rebuilt Dartmouth side have the pedigree to stay top.
A year ago, they made a similarly flying start under the captaincy of Matt Rawnsley and were top of the table until mid-July, only to lose their way over the second half of the summer.
Rawnsley has since been poached by Barnt Green, last year's champions, who are expected to mount another serious tilt at the table this time round. But the Green are going to need a little better luck with the weather, after a second successive abandonment, this one without a ball being bowled at Cherry Hill Road in what was expected to be a real test against Knowle & Dorridge.
Also rained off for the afternoon was Coventry's home clash with Wellington, whose five points from the abandonment did at least double their tally for what has so far been a stuttering start to the season for the fancied Shropshire side, champions in 2003 and 2004.
All three of the day's other top-flight games were rain-affected draws.
Kenilworth Wardens owed a big debt to Eian Marillier, who earned the day's man-of-the-match award at Himley by top-scoring with an unbeaten 53 in his side's 131 for seven from 34 overs.
Himley made a spirited effort to get there, spearheaded by 43 from Cameron Fox, backed up by Stuart Lampitt's 23. But their departures forced the home side to concentrate simply on avoiding defeat as they ended up 11 runs short of victory. The winning draw was enough to keep the Wardens second in the table while up two places to third are Walsall after the inform Gerrie Snyman almost bowled them to victory at home to Old Hill.
Snyman's 42 with the bat was backed up Paul Baker's 61 as Walsall rattled up 165 for four from just 28 overs. But Old Hill were never in the hunt in reply as Snyman, who had enjoyed five-wicket hauls on three successive Saturdays, again helped himself to a few scalps.
Only Ruwait Khan had any answer with 31 as Old Hill slumped to 86 for seven from an allocation further reduced by rain to 25 overs, Snyman's four wickets earning him a second man-of-the-match award in successive home games at Gorway.
Promoted Kidderminster Victoria at least kept their unbeaten record intact as they just managed to avoid defeat at home to Moseley. Pete Magafas was the main stay with 34 as Moseley ran up 102 for seven from their 25 overs at Chester Road.
But man-of-the-match Micky Bell ripped out the Kidderminster middle order to leave the home side hanging on for a draw at the end on 65 for eight.
