OLD Hill CC’s hopes of avoiding relegation were dealt a huge blow by the weather.

The Haden Hill Park outfit were on course for victory at fellow strugglers Coventry and North Warwickshire on Monday, a result which would have almost lifted them out of the Birmingham League Division One drop zone.

But with the visitors on 60-1, requiring only 45 more runs for victory, heavy rain arrived to washout the rest of the game leaving them 12 points from safety with three games to play.

Sri Lankan star Dmitri Ratnayake had earlier taken 4-23 as Coventry were bowled out for 104 in 43.1 overs. Seb Soukup also impressed as he took 3-31.

Nitesh Patel was unbeaten on 33 during Old Hill’s reply before the rain arrived.

The weather had provided plenty of frustration on Saturday too.

Old Hill’s home game with Smethwick was called off without a ball being bowled. Dan Cox’s men now face two home games, starting with Saturday’s visit of Walmley.

Halesowen’s fate in Division Two remains unpredictable after a rain-affected Bank Holiday.

The Seth Somers Park side were unable to complete their games with Stratford or at Harborne but slid marginally closer to the wrong end of the table thanks to results elsewhere.

On Saturday, Hales had reached 32-3 against Stratford before rain forced an abandonment.

Greater frustration followed 48 hours later as they were not able to chase a target of 144 after a good team bowling effort had seen off Harborne.

Phil Croft and Eddie Rhodes both claimed three wickets each, with Dan Jeavons also picking up a brace.

Halesowen are now 21 points clear of the drop zone but just 30 off the top two with a possible 72 to play for.

They host second-placed Brewood this Saturday.