HIMLEY'S eagerly awaited clash against star studded Ombersley lasted for just 28 balls before wet weather prevented any further play at Stourbridge Road.

Opening bats Ollie Westbury and skipper Greg Wright had taken Himley's score to 20 without loss before proceedings were cut short.

Dismayed skipper Wright admitted: "It was a real shame after so many people had gone to so much effort to get the game on.

"But after 4.4 overs, we had another heavy shower and we just couldn't get back on again."

Ombersley had arrived with a side crammed with current county players that included Worcestershire's Brett D'Oliveira, Ross Whiteley, Josh Dell and Jack Haynes in addition to former Worcester, Somerset and Hampshire allrounder Gareth Andrew who opened the attack with Matt Davis.

They also had Indian overseas wicketkeeper-batsman Uday Kaul on parade as well.

With uncontested tosses being introduced this season into the Birmingham League, Himley were well aware they would have to bat first and Wright said: "We'd been in survival mode from the start of the week. With the weather as it has been, it's always going to be challenging batting first in these conditions."

Life doesn't get any easier for Himley who host top of the table Leamington Spa this Saturday at Stourbridge Road but Wright remains optimistic and claimed: "If we can get a positive result, it would put us right back in the mix again".