Sunday was more like a scene from Countryfile than cricket as attempts were made to mop up the soaked playing area. Hartlepool won the toss and bowled in a match that only started after the scheduled tea interval with 32 overs allocated to each side.
Marc Symington continued his excellent form with the ball with another 4 of the 8 Marton wickets to fall - note the classical head-up, eyes focused on the batsman in his delivery stride. Great technique.
Marton had Lee Hodgson to thank for pushing the score up to 134 for 8 as he compiled a very good 50
Kasun Bodhisha showed great agility despite the wet conditions to execute a brilliant run out off his own bowling - no third umpire needed here for Tom Briddock
As Hartlepool began their reply the match became very similar to the previous league encounter. Hartlepool looking on top with Neil Coverdale, Kas Bodhisha and Alan Tebbet all doing well, but Marton battled back into the match in the latter overs.
As overs ran out Hartlepool lost a few wickets as they strived for runs in a bid for victory. Marton on the other hand will have been pleased to escape with a draw as they were never in position to win. Hartlepool closed on 124 for 9 tantalisingly close to another batting point...just 1 run short. Both sides collected 9 points from the draw which see Hartlepool remain top of the table by 2 points over Richmondshire who beat both the weather and the opposition over the double weekend.
Photos courtesy of a very damp Alan Lacy...deserves a medal.