RAIN was again the winner as Herefordshire’s second NCCA Championship Western Division 2 clash of the season, against Wales at Eastnor, ended in a rain-affected draw.

After a bright and sunny first day, the second and third days were both badly affected by rain with 113 overs lost to the weather, all but ruling out any chance of a positive result for either side.

Despite losing the toss and fielding first, Herefordshire made a promising start with Roshan Venkataraman picking up three quick wickets.

But the home side were thwarted by one of their old boys as Wales coach
Brad Wadlan dominated the majority of the visitors’ innings striking 16 fours and a six before falling just a single short of a century.

At the other end, however, Taylor Cornall was chipping away, collecting 4-54. Sam Keeling-Wright (1-46) also picked up a wicket but Venkataraman returned to wind up the innings with the excellent figures of 5-42.

Herefordshire’s response got off to a good start with Cornall (18), Henry Cullen (30) and Ollie Halion (10) all providing solid support to skipper Ben Chapman-Lilley who ended the first day on 69 not out.

Unfortunately, Herefordshire’s overnight 141-3 rapidly deteriorated when play got under way after a delayed start on the second morning. Chapman-Lilley was out without adding to his score as, although Luke Tulacz (17) and Luke Powell (10) both got starts, five wickets went down for a further 43 runs before rain ended play early.

Excellent work by the Eastnor ground staff allowed play to start on time on the third morning, despite heavy overnight rain, and Herefordshire’s lower order responded in fine style.

James Rudge (60) completed a maiden three-day half-century while Ben Clarke contributed a composed 28 as they added 90 for the ninth wicket, just four short of a county record, before Herefordshire were all out for 275.

Venkataraman (4-27) made early inroads as Wales slipped to 48-4 in their second innings, but there was insufficient time for the home side to force home any advantage.