BRADNINCH had Lewdown on the rack in the top-of-the-table clash but were robbed of a win by the weather.

Gary Chappell (87) and Lautro Masini (74) were the leading run scorers for Bradninch in a total of 235 for seven in 45 overs.

Lewdow were heading for defeat at 49 for six when rain stopped play.

Bradninch are still top of the table by a distance, but the abandonment cost them seven points on top.

Tim Piper’s men are 29 points clear at the top of the table and unlikely to suffer too many consequences from a no-result game against their nearest rivals.

Bradninch kept run-machine Gary Chappell back instead of opening with him, a tactical ploy that worked well.

Dan Fogerty (2-49) and Johannes Wessels (1-34) posed early issues for Bradninch, who were 24 for three in the ninth over.

Chappell and Andy Buzza  (10) put on 55 for the fourth wicket, then Masini and Chappell knocked up another 115.

Chappell was run out at 194, but Masini carried on until the last over.

Lewdown got to 32 for one without too many apparent problems, although Wessesls had 31 of them and promptly got out to Cameron Suidgeets (2-19).

Four more wickets went for 17 runs on the board – Chris Acton (2-6) chipping in  and Lewdown will have been relieved when the umpires called time in the 16th over.

“The game went pretty much to plan, it was just a shame the weather got in the way of an easy win,” said Bradninch skipper Tim Piper.“Gary Chappell and Lautaro Musiani both batted very well.”

“Lautro has been threatening for some time without getting much of a chance. He stepped up when it was needed.”

Piper will hope the weather is better this Saturday when Budleigh Salterton are the visitors.