Rain devastated the HPH York Vale Cricket League programme, with only three games at Wheldrake, Melbourne and Tadcaster Magnet surviving the deluge.

But in each case the fixtures involved leaders of their respective leagues, all of whom managed to pick up vital wins.

Thanks to some creativity between Wheldrake and Drax, the latter managed to steal a vital march on division one leadership rivals North Duffield, who had to settle for ten points from their abandoned game against Heworth.

Anticipating problems with the weather, both captains Les Fearn and Paul Smith agreed to reduce the scheduled 40 overs per innings to 20, which enabled a thrilling limited-over thrash to be squeezed in before the rain.

Drax batted first and battled to 117-8, losing four wickets for seven runs at the death. Keith Powell top-scored with 42, while Mark Fearn (3-54) and Callum Dent (4-26) did the damage with the ball.

Dan Nicholson's 42 from 32 balls, with support from Rob Daniel (31), almost saw Wheldrake to victory, but they ended eight runs short thanks to tight bowling from Richard Ounsley (4-51).

A tricky fixture away to division four league leaders, Melbourne was made even more difficult when Sheriff Hutton skipper Sally Harrison lost the toss and was invited to bat on a damp, green strip.

Things went from bad to worse. None of the Sheriff Hutton batters reached double figures and the last six wickets fell for just four runs as the visitors were routed for 24, Joss Room (5-5) and Martin Kidd (4-11) making the incisive inroads.

As the wet weather closed in, Melbourne openers John Chaplin and Greg Nesbitt knocked off the runs in double quick time to put them in touching distance of the title honours.

The other game to escape the weather saw second-placed Tadcaster Magnet take on division five leaders Hemingbrough II.

Although losing only once previously, Hemingbrough needed to see off the threat from Magnets to remain confident of finishing in pole position.

Hemingbrough kept the scoreboard ticking over with Phillip Priestly hitting 42, Michael Smales (41) and Ryon Adamson (32no) from a total of 211-5. It was always too much for an under-strength Magnets, even though Richard Laver added to his season's run-haul with 30 as the home side's response capitulated at 102-8, Mark Allit taking 3-28.