THE Marlborough players trudged off the field cold, wet and miserable on Saturday as opponents Gloucester City Winget were left singing in the rain, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

In the only match in the Glos/Wilts Division to survive the torrid weather, Marlborough failed to add to their paltry tally of two wins for the season as Gloucester City completed the double over them.

Nick Crabbe's side were forced to field in heavy rain for 35 overs as the visitors reached their target of 186 with three wickets to spare.

Crabbe believes the game should have abandoned in the conditions, but with all their rivals failing to finish, relegation-haunted Marlborough did not lose too much ground.

"It was absolutely pouring down at one stage after tea, but the umpires were determined to stay out there and see the game finished," he said.

"To be fair, when we had Gloucester 50-3 we didn't want to come off either, so you can't have it both ways.

"But as the innings wore on it got slippier and slippier for the fielders and the bowlers could not grip the ball.

"I definitely think we would have stood a better chance of winning had it not rained so hard."

Marlborough's total of 185-8 was spearheaded by John Carroll, who made 57 before becoming one of four victims for Jason Cooper.

Gloucester were in trouble early in their reply, as South African Nick Moragemos removed both openers.

But an excellent 93 from Will Steadman took the visitors to the brink of victory, before Hooper (29) and Thomas Stannard (11 not out) nudged them over the winning line.

The result leaves Marlborough marooned at the foot of the table, but Crabbe insists all hope is not yet lost.

"We were in an identical position last season and we managed to stay up, so we have to stay positive," he said.

"But we don't make it very easy for ourselves. We need a couple of wins now just to ease the pressure and get us going again."

Wootton Bassett were denied the chance to gain revenge on Chippenham when their match was abandoned during the tea interval.

The rain may have actually helped Neil Twine's side however, who were defending a total of 167-9 at Hardenhuish Park.

Swindon meanwhile had to settle for a draw against title rivals Biddestone at the County Ground.

Irfan Wazir Khan (3-14) bowled beautifully to reduce Biddestone to 152-9 in 49 overs, with two wickets each for Bruce Martin, Will Nichols, Matty Gumm and Asanka Vithanage.

In reply, Swindon struggled to 11-2 from eight overs before rain intervened for the final time.

Goatacre match's with Lydney was also cut short after Adam Iles had taken 7-61 in Lydney's 220-9 at the Village Hall Ground.