JIM LOVE'S hopes of a sentimental return to the colours at one of his old stamping grounds were ruined by the weather.

Scotland's director of cricket stepped into the breach when Mike Allingham reported unfit for the first Costcutter Cup semi-final against the International X1 because of a ricked neck.

But Love, a Harrogate player during his Yorkshire days, was forced to put his comeback on the back burner when rain halted play after 85 minutes and 20 overs.

After a lengthy hold-up, umpires Sharp and Steele decided the outfield was too wet for a bowl-out and Scotland went through to Wednesday's final against either Northants or Hampshire on the toss of a coin.

The highlight of the brief passage of play was a forceful knock of 32, including a six and four fours, from Steve Crawley before he was caught in the covers by Zimbabwe batsman Grant Flower, Harrogate's overseas player in the Yorkshire League, off Carl Tuckett.

Jo Grant, a fast bowler from Jamaica, had earlier removed Bruce Patterson for a single in the second over of the day and Tuckett also dismissed Bryn Lockie for 11 in the 19th over.