CRICKET: The elements made sure of a frustrating weekend for Kidderminster Victoria over a weather hit Bank Holiday weekend double header.

Kidderminster were left ruing the rain as the team were unable to build on last week's win over Coventry and North Warwickshire in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division.

On Saturday the torrential rain meant both Kidderminster and Shifnal shared nine points each after the game was forced off.

Kidderminster won the toss and invited Shifnal to bat. They had an early success when Jonathan Miles clean-bowled visiting skipper Brian Jones for four runs.

Overseas bowler, Kevin Forde, took his first wicket of the season when he dismissed Andy Gray to leave Shifnal on 24-2, but 60 runs were added before wicketkeeper Josh Knappett caught John Whitney off Ted Baylis's bowling for 50.

Shifnal looked to be building a big score and reached 126 when the Knappett and Baylis combination struck again, removing Dewayne Bowden for 26.

His partner Asif Sultan's valuable knock of 34 came to an end when he was out lbw to captain Jonathan Wright to see Shifnall slump to 130-5.

Former Kidderminster player James Ralph came to the crease but Shifnal lost Anthony Parker, who was caught by Peter Stevens off Mark Mansell's bowling for two.

Despite rain clouds hovering above the danger of play being stopped seemed to pass and Marc Derrick ran out Guy Home (14).

Ted Baylis dismissed Tony Parton (33) to break up a dangerous 72 partnership with Ralph and one more run was added when Duncan Bowett was bowled my Miles, who also had Adam Shimmons stumped by Knappett for two.

Ralph's was 73 not out kept Shifnal ticking over before his side were bowed out for 263 in the 55th over.

Baylis (3-48) and Miles (3-63) were Kidderminster's most effective bowlers, while Wright, Mark Mansell and Forde took one each.

However, Kidderminster could not begin their run chase as rain started at tea time and did not stop.

On Monday Kidderminster were even more unlucky against Knowle and Dorridge when bad light called off the game when the team was in a strong position for victory.

New Zealander Forde shook off a frustrating and injury hit start to the season with a magnificent bowling display to take 5-28 in nine overs.

Kidderminster batted first and put on 64 for the first wicket.

Mansell was the first batsman out after he had scored 17. Kidderminster were on 125 when skipper Wright became Knowle bowler James' second victim after hitting 83.

James Taylor (26) was dismissed lbw, which sparked a Kidderminster collapse, with Peter Stevens (1) and Andrew Siwicki (0) unable to add any more runs after falling victim to James (5-44).

Knappett made seven not out as Kidderminster had used their 37 allotted overs and made 158-5.

After more rain Knowle were set a target of 107 from 25 over for victory but Kidderminster's bowlers restricted them expertly.

Jon Miles (2-21) accounted for the openers and Forde nearly finished them off, with only bad light saving Knowle from defeat.