Title hopefuls Buckingham Town were frustrated by the weather at the weekend as their game against Oxford Downs in Cherwell League Division One was abandoned.
Town won the toss and chose to bowl first against bottom of the table Oxford, and the visitors made a positive start through Wasim Mehmood and James France, who scored 27 in six overs before the first rain shower arrived.
After a lengthy delay and an early tea, the game was reduced to a 40/26 over contest.
The Downs openers continued their aggressive start on the resumption, moving onto 44 before Mehmood was bowled by Ben Laycock for 24.
Skipper Will Watts came in and continued to score quickly, but Wayne Platts removed both France (32) and Watts (35) inside three overs followed by two further wicket as he finished with 4-40.
Jack Parish chipped in and claimed the wicket of Wes Bartlett for 21 before a second heavy rain shower halted the innings at 146-6.
With the cut off time passed, both captains tried to negotiate a run chase but in the end the players shook hands and the game was abandoned with each side climaing six points.
Buckingham’s lead at the top has been cut to 39 points ahead of this Saturday’s clash at third-placed Cumnor.