For the short period of time it took to bowl four overs, Taunton Deane looked as if they might be able to grasp an unlikely victory.

However when play resumed after a lengthy rain break, the umpires’ decision to limit the game to 23 overs a side meant that the Deane knew they had just four overs to add to their earlier score of 101 for five. 

Ed Mellor launched an extraordinary assault on the Downend bowling attack taking his score from 10 to 51 in just 13 balls. Three successive sixes from Mellor cleared the clubhouse while Harry Smith took his aim at the local church where his three sixes were close to ruining some fine stained-glass windows.

Those 73 runs from just 24 balls provided the Deane with something to bowl at.

Once the arcane mysteries of Duckworth Lewis had been fully explored, it was resolved that Downend would need 178 to claim the 20 points and remain firmly atop of the league.

Weather apps were watched as keenly as the cricket as Downend made their predictably robust response. Despite losing skipper Callum Loud with 21 runs on the board, the home side  took full control and 15 fours and 11 sixes brought them victory with more than three overs to spare.

As the clubhouse rocked to the sound of joyous foot stomping and enthusiastic singing from the home side, the sky darkened once more, and the rain started falling steadily across north Bristol. 

As the only game in the league to reach a finish, Downend stretch their lead at top and Taunton Deane fall further behind at the bottom.

Those 20 points for a win will be hotly contested next Saturday when the Deane host fellow strugglers Ilminster at the Deane.