EVERYONE has heard of rain stopping play - but this was ridiculous.

A Hampshire League cricket match became an unexpected hive of activity when a swarm of bees sent batsmen, fielders and umpires fleeing for cover.

Fareham & Crofton were 45 minutes into their County Division 1 match against Amport at Bath Lane, Fareham, when thousands of bees swept head-high across the ground.

All 11 Fareham fielders, Amport batsmen Martin Allwork and Phil Andrews, and the two umpires dived to the ground for safety.

The remainder of the Amport team and the two scorers saw the swarm headed in their direction - and promptly locked themselves in the pavilion.

"It was a bizarre sight," said Fareham & Crofton captain Brian Keen. It was pretty scary too. We just dived to the ground and waited for the swarm to pass through."

No one was stung, but the bee attack certainly didn't do Amport any favours.

It was all honey as they progressed to 53-1 but when play resumed after the bees had gone, Amport promptly lost two wickets in three balls.

Amport went on to reach 164 all out and later had Fareham on their knees at 144-9 and facing their first defeat of the season.

But there was an unfortunate sting in the tail for Amport as Fareham's last pair Keith Miller and Stuart Hutchings put on 24 to win the match.