SHERBORNE 136-4 (16pts) beat ST GEORGE’S 127-7 (8pts) by 9 runs

ST GEORGE’S suffered a narrow defeat in a rain-affected match at the Terrace.

Heavy rain immediately prior to the scheduled start delayed play for more than two hours and reduced the match to 25 overs-a-side.

The hosts had already decided to bat first before the rain came but soon lost both openers to debutant Pearce Mercer’s impressive newball spell.

Experienced duo Mark Lock and Ashley Guppy then came together at the crease and consolidated the innings before the former holed out to long off to a Matt King delivery for 22.

Guppy was then joined at the crease by skipper Tom Harris and the fourth-wicket pair combined in a stand of 75 to take the score towards a competitive total.

Although boundaries were hard to come by on the big outfield, excellent running between the wickets kept the scoreboard moving before a tired shot saw Guppy bowled just short of his half-century and the innings closed soon after on 136-4.

The Saints’ reply began solidly enough before the introduction of slow bowler Paul Hancock saw both openers dismissed in quick succession.

The visitors’ batsmen were finding it equally difficult to score boundaries and the run-rate quickly went up to more than a run a ball.

Tim Goodhew and George Chubb’s partnership gave the away side a glimmer of hope but when both fell victim to Pete Durston’s medium pace the chances of winning had all but gone.

The overs eventually ran out with the score still 10 runs short of victory but the away side took away the small consolation of having picked up eight Sunday Division One bonus points from the narrow defeat.