Banbury's hopes of strengthening their hold on second position in Home Counties Premier League Division 1 were dashed when a thunderstorm caused the abandoment of Saturday’s match at home to Welwyn Garden City.

At the time of the storm , Banbury were better placed to pull off the victory.

In reply to the home side’s total of 290-6, Welwyn were 110-3, with Luke Ryan just beginning to spin his magical web.

Having sped to 92-0, the visitors had just lost three quick wickets to Ryan when the rain came.

Left-arm spinner Ryan had impressive figures of 3-16 from 5.4 overs.

Earlier, Banbury, having been put in to bat, were given an excellent start by half-centuries from Damian Shirazi and Ian Tew, who put on 140 for the first wicket.

The acceleration came from Craig Haupt, with 47 off 49 balls, and Simon Hole, whose 57 came off only 50 deliveries.

Both were stumped by Nick Walker off the spin of Simon Bridgewater, who finished with 4-69 off 19 overs.

The wicket-keeper also claimed four victims, completing a tally of three stumpings and a catch.