(Match abandoned) Saturday's foul weather spoiled what had promised to be an exciting opening round of the Western Counties Cup at Southampton Oval with rain forcing a number of stoppages.

The match was eventually abandoned as a draw after Cuts batted for only 24 overs.

The outcome assures champions PHC of a spot in the second round against Warwick next month.

Both teams wore coloured clothing, now traditional in one-day internationals but used for the first time locally. However, the weather failed to cooperate with the occasion as PHC began the defence of the title they won last year by shocking Southampton Rangers.

After being sent in, Cuts enjoyed an opening stand of 50 between cousins Dexter Basden (11) and Dwight Basden (32). Guest player Jermaine Warner, who left Cuts this season to return to Bailey's Bay, failed when his Bay team-mate, Ricky Hill, had him caught behind for a duck.

In the next over Dexter Basden departed to make it 52-3 as the champions fought back. But when the rain sent the teams off the field for the final time, Cuts had clawed their way back to 120 for five with Gladwin Edness not out on 27 and Kevin Fubler unbeaten on seven.

Hill claimed two for 38 off his six overs while Cal Waldron, sharing the new ball with Shoron Hunt, bowled a tight six-over spell, claiming one for 10 with three maidens.