For several days the weather experts had predicted that there was likely to be only one winner in any cricket matches on Saturday.
The 40 plus guests who arrived around mid-day for Newport’s game with Penn were met with persistent rain and threatening clouds and pre-lunch talk suggested that no cricket whatsoever would be played.
However by around 1.30pm the rain had all but ceased, the umpire’s had a look at the wicket and optimistically announced that in the absence of further rain, play would start at 2.30pm.
It meant that only 38 overs per side would be possible and having won the toss, Newport skipper Stuart Blount had little hesitation in inviting the visitors to take first knock and Jonty Mountford opened proceedings.
Some tight early overs from Mountford and Rasika kept the Penn batsmen well and truly under wraps.
But with wickets in hand and overs running out, the Penn momentum increased.
With some good sharp running and a few lusty blows, Penn reached 168-4, a realistic target.
Rasika picked up two wickets and there was one apiece for Mountford and Jon Prince.
However, the weather, as forecast was to have the last laugh.
Only four overs were possible after tea, during which time Eddie Keenan and Mike Halliday had seen Newport reach 15-0 without too much difficulty.
But the final intervention left both sets of players wondering just what might have have been, had the game reached a conclusion.
Tomorrow, Newport make the journey across Birmingham to play Aston Manor.
