Rain forced the abandonment of Kenilworth Wardens' home game against Bridgnorth with the match well poised.

By this point Wardens' in-form wicket-keeper Henry Cullen had combined with fit-again Pakistani pro Ali Zaryab in a fifth-wicket partnership worth 118.

With opener Robin De Regt earlier marking his recall with a hard-fought 45, this meant the home side's 55-over allocation realised a competitive-looking 232 for seven.

Charlie Walker claimed 3-34 for Bridgnorth whose batsmen were prevented from launching their response by the arrival of heavy rain.

Home captain Harry Johnson was happy with his team's effort on a damp pitch and slow outfield.

"I thought 232 was a great score given that conditions favoured the bowlers," he said.

"The pitch was a soft, green seamer, offering lots of lateral movement for the quick bowlers as well as slow turn for the spinners. This made it difficult to pierce the infield and get value for shots.

"Robin played brilliantly at the top of the order showing patience and some brilliant strokes.

"The partnership between Ali and Henry was then excellent; they were proactive and took the game to Bridgnorth, rotating strike effectively to put us in a great position."

After the early loss of Nick Seager, Tommy Rex justified his elevation from the middle-order by adding 59 with second-wicket partner De Regt.

But when Wardens' skipper and the South African-born left-hander fell in quick succession the hosts were struggling at 96 for four.

However, the partnership between Cullen – who made 48 from only 51 balls – and his Central Punjab partner soon tipped the scales back towards the home side.

After Zaryab was eventually dismissed by seamer Walker for a superb 59-ball 74, the closing overs saw Wardens to a competitive score in less-than-ideal batting conditions.

Bridgnorth off-spinner Matty Simmonds claimed 2-75 from 17 overs while Adam Quiney and Dave Exall grabbed a wicket apiece.

Wardens hope a number of players will return to fitness in the coming weeks, while Johnson is monitoring county cricket's approach to Covid-19 closely in the hope that Worcestershire and Derbyshire will relax restrictions on contracted players being released to play in the leagues.