AMPORT were in a strong position during their National Village Knockout clash with Dogmersfield on Sunday, until rain halted play.

Winning the toss and bowling first, skipper Nick Bone saw his bowlers do everything they could to get wickets, despite the skipper himself spilling two chances from his older brother which would have brightened the first 10 overs.

Leighton Bone and Phil Payne ran in tirelessly and when Payne finished his nine overs, having conceded only eight runs, Amport were already in the driving seat.

In a game constantly dogged by bad weather, the Dogmersfield batsmen just could not get the ball away. Phil Jackson replaced Leighton Bone and made an immediate impact, taking two wickets in three overs, leaving the visitors at 54-2 after 20 overs.

Lee Ayers and Richard 'Boffy' Baugh continued to turn the screw, each returning figures of 2-30, and when Leighton Bone was brought back into the attack he snapped up two wickets in five ball - clean bowling Dogmersfield skipper Len Smith (16) and then taking a fine caught and bowled.

When Jackson finshed off the innings, clean bowling D Beattie, Amport were well in control with Dogmersfield reaching 129 from their 40 overs.

Tea, however, saw the end of the game as the rain became too heavy to continue and both skippers had to agree to a replay next week at Dogmersfield. Amport will feel confident that with a similar bowling performance, and less simple mistakes in the field, they will be able to progress into the next round.