TORRENTIAL rain on Saturday virtually washed away Knypersley's title hopes as their crucial home match was abandoned.

Knypersley opened with 139 for two against Moddershall, declaring after 29 overs to give them time to try to bowl out their opponents.

Moddershall were left with 23 overs to score the required runs, but only 20 minutes play was possible before heavy rain forced an end to the match.

In that time Moddershall had reached 25 for three, all the wickets falling to Neil Dutton, whose three for eight took his total for the season to 70 wickets.

The backbone of the Knypersley innings was Ross Salmon, who hit 61 not out, with good support from Steve Farr, who made 40, the pair putting on 70.

Salmon also scored 59 with captain Paul Goodwin, who was 30 not out.

Knypersley earned four points from the game, leaving them in third, 50 points off the leaders, and due to play second-placed Leek tomorrow (Saturday).

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