Last Saturday Vauxhall Mallards’ set off for their trip down to Burwell in bright sunshine but returned home in the pouring rain.

Their latest East Anglian Premier League fixture was brought to a halt, like many in the region, at the tea break with just 15 of the second innings’ overs having been bowled.

Burwell had made 330-5 off their 64 overs, with Mallards struggling on 55-4 in reply.

In the morning Mallards had won the toss and had put Burwell in to bat. It took until the seventh over before there was a score off the bat as Paul Bradshaw and Ben France kept their bowling very tight and then the first wicket fell in the ninth over.

Burwell had two big partnerships, the first between their captain Joseph Tetley (57) and Andrew Bramley. They put on 78 before Tetley was bowled by Adam Todd.

Bramley and new partner Ben Seabrook then had a stand of 211 for the third wicket. Both were dismissed by Adam Todd when he came back on for a second spell; Bradley went first, caught behind by John Ewart for 141, followed four overs later by Seabrook, caught in the deep by Mitch Todd for 106.

Burwell’s other batsmen didn’t make significant contributions to the total while there were wickets for Paul Bradshaw and Luke Caswell. Burwell set a challenging total for Mallards to chase as they reached 330-5, having batted out the maximum 64 overs.

Vauxhall Mallards’ started their innings with a much greater intent than Burwell, at about double the rate of the home side, but lost wickets more quickly and they looked to be in trouble at tea on 55 for four off 15 overs.

The rain started during the a break and it wasn’t long before it was set in and the match had to be abandoned. When there was potential for a finish the game looked to be set in Burwell’s favour but there was always a chance it could have swung back to Mallards. Instead, the weather got the better of both sides.

On Saturday Mallards welcome Horsford to Halvergate (11am).

In the Premier Division of the Norfolk Alliance Acle recorded their seventh victory of an encouraging campaign when they came away from Fakenham with a 46 run success. Acle made 201 (Geoff Handley 66) and then bowled their hosts out for 155 (Shaun Roberts 3-15). They are at home to Cromer next (1pm).