Staines & Laleham third league outing of the summer ended in a farcical defeat in the rain at Thames Ditton on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Staines started well thanks to their new pairing of Steve Weller and Kirk Mullard.

But an unlucky runout dismissed Weller and, although Mullard made his way to a half-century, Staines were shot out for a disappointing 139.

Thames then batted in the rain.

As the ground became wetter, the umpires were unable to agree on whether the conditions were acceptable and the game carried on.

With bowlers hardly able to stand and the ball resembling a bar of soap, Ditton knocked the runs off for the loss of three wickets.

Staines skipper Brett Archer said afterwards: "All I would ask of anyone who witnessed the game is, was it fair for both sides?

"Yes, we underachieved with our total, but that shouldn't dictate whether the facilities are safe and fair for both sides."

The Staines seconds and thirds had a week off from league cricket, while the fourths won at home, chasing 250.