The Royals looked on course to extend their lead at the top of Division One to eight points after setting the Outlaws a challenging target of 231. But the visitors were unable to begin their reply as the drizzle which had been falling during the closing stages of the Royals innings became heavier during the interval and the umpires were forced to abandon the match at around 9.20pm.

The Royals had been looking to bounce back from Sunday's defeat by Glamorgan Dragons and although the washout extended their lead to six points, they have now played one game more than Yorkshire Phoenix and two more than the Dragons.

The arrival of the bad weather was particularly frustrating for Royals opener Vikram Solanki, who had hit 81 to lay the foundations for the home side's innings. Solanki shared a 70-run partnership with Australian Shane Lee for the fourth wicket to allow the Royals to set what would have been a tough test for the struggling Outlaws, who have managed just one win all season.

Graeme Hick also shared in a half-century second-wicket stand with Solanki after opener Stephen Peters had been dismissed by Greg Smith in the fifth over. The duo put on 56 and were threatening to repeat the 195-run stand they produced against Nottinghamshire earlier this season in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy when Hick departed. The former England international had reached 19 when he drove a David Lucas delivery straight to Kevin Pietersen at backward point in the 15th over.

Lucas struck again in his next over with an angled ball which forced Ben Smith to edge a low catch to Nicky Boje at second slip but Solanki and Lee steadied the ship. Lee soon had spectators running for cover with an aggressive innings which featured three sixes as he smashed 36 off 30 balls before a pull shot off Stephen Randall found the safe hands of Boje.

Solanki eventually went for 81 off 101 balls, while Steve Rhodes (26 not out) and Kabir Ali (16) made useful contributions as the Royals' innings closed with eight wickets down but the heavy downpour which followed meant it had all been in vain.

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