APPALLING weather, appalling cricket – that was the verdict after Ellesmere Port’s home game against Rostherne confounded everyone by surviving the weekend downpour.

Port skipper Gareth Boys almost wished it hadn’t, however, as his side struggled with the bat and allowed the visitors to smell victory from the off.

Hammad Usman was the only Port player to do himself justice in the Cheshire Alliance Division Two clash, making 40 in terrible conditions.

Boys himself made 18 and the rest collapsed as Port set a modest target of 94ao.

Having restricted Rostherne to 190 earlier this season and with the conditions making batting tough, Port were still confident they could bowl the visitors out.

It was not to be, however, as Rostherne raced to 95-4 to win by six wickets.

“The conditions were terrible but we wanted 25 points so we batted first,” said Boys.

“The game could have been called off like the rest of the league was but we went ahead.

“Unfortunately we didn’t bat. Too many people didn’t make scores. Only Hammad came out with any credit.

“It was a disappointing day and one which really, I just want to forget about.”

Port travel to Trinity on Saturday.

Castrol’s game at Lindow in the Meller Braggins League Division Three was called off due to rain.

Only one match went ahead in the division, but all Castrol’s relegation rivals saw their games abandoned leaving the Ellesmere Port side still clinging to their hopes of survival.

This Saturday they travel to Bunbury.