RAIN spoiled what should have been a memorable occasion as the curtain was due to fall on the Axford Trophy.

The 44-year-old competition which is contested annually between players from the Bolton Cricket League and Bolton and District Cricket Association was abandoned without play on Sunday.

The showpiece event – which was due to be held at Darcy Lever on Sunday – is only the fourth in the history of the competition to fall victim to the weather

However, this year's match had extra-sentiment surrounding it with the Association expecting to fold at the end of the season, therefore potentially ending the long-standing friendly rivalry.

But all is not lost, as a new date could be announced this week and is expected to ben Monday, August 31.

Frank Jackson, chairman of the Bolton Association, told The Bolton News he still expected the competition to get the send-off it deserved.

He said: “It is more than likely to be replayed on Bank Holiday Monday in August,” he said.

“It is usually played in August but we brought it forward this year because of the weather would you believe – and because it goes darker later in July.

“In the past it has always been played on a Monday and we will probably have to revert back to that again this year.”