ROCHDALE and Monton met at Welbeck Road on Saturday in what was expected to be a dress rehearsal for the JW Lees Wood Cup final on 2 August.

But, unfortunately, no one had told the weather gods, and torrential overnight rain meant the contest was reduced to a 20-over thrash.

Clearly it was a format that didn’t suit the visitors as, batting first, which is often a disadvantage in these circumstances, they crashed to 48 all out.

Architect of their downfall was Monton’s Trent Scott who helped himself to 27-7 from eight overs, as only Rochdale professional Weeratna (14) and Khan (10) reached double figures.

And, with 12 extras also included in the total it says a lot about the contribution of the other batsmen.

The writing was on the wall for the visitors as Dom Ayres, Andrew Smith, Andrew Dawson and Michael Harling were back in changing rooms with just eight runs on the board.

Weeratna and Khan steered them to 29, but the former’s dismissal signalled the beginning of the end. Wickets toppled as Rochdale failed to reach the 50-mark. Perhaps their greatest sin was failing to use the full 20 overs; they were all out with 4.2 remaining.

Monton’s openers were under no pressure and Maddox (34) and Gorsi (13) eased the home team over the line for a comfortable five-point win.