When the heavens finally opened on the stroke of 4pm and the game abandoned 10 minutes later, the Harden side were counting their blessings.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Harden struggled for runs, occupying the crease for more than 33 overs but being bundled out for just 79.

The pace trio of Big O’s Dean Bradley, Kyal Berg and Michael Buttriss did most of the damage.

Opener Chris Etherington, number six Ben Brady and tailender Craig Henman were the only Harden batsmen to reach double figures.

Etherington watched three teammates depart before he edged a ball from Bradley to Scott Meale at first slip for 17, while Brady survived a very confident lbw appeal off the first delivery faced to finish unbeaten on 16, he and Henman (10) providing a stubborn eighth wicket stand.

It wasn’t as much the 24 runs the unlikely pair put on that frustrated the Big O boys the most, it was the fact they hung around for 12 overs and almost an hour that ultimately helped their side salvage the three competition points from the drawn result.

Had Brady and Henman gone cheaply, the Olympic side may have had enough time to reel in the runs.

However, it was obvious by the time Big O players headed in to bat that the longevity of the innings was in serious jeopardy due to the weather.

Only four overs were possible, with the pair gaining 24 runs in a blinding start.

When the downpour came Big O batters Buttriss was unbeaten on 13 and Meale not out on 10.