Warwickshire Bears went top of Division One of the Norwich Union League as they eased to a 19-run victory over Kent Spitfires courtesy of some sensible batting and the rain at Edgbaston.

Chasing a theoretical 267 to win, the approaching storm clouds made it pretty obvious to both sides that the chances of the match taking its full course were minimal. The home side therefore decided to keep ahead of the rate and ensure that, when the rain came, they would be deemed winners according to the Duckworth/Lewis formula.

Neil Carter, promoted up the order as a pinch hitter thrashed Saggers for a four and a six before perishing to just his third ball for 10. But the tone had been set and skipper Mike Powell continued the charge in a stand of 57 with Dominic Ostler for the second wicket.

Ostler, fresh from his match-winning century against Somerset in the championship, kept up the rate with 43 before he was bowled off his pads by the deserving Ealham while Ian Bell was unbeaten on 29 off 28 balls at the end. It was the second time in a week that the youngster has seen his side home. There was a slightly disappointing end to this game, though, with the players already forced off by rain when the winner was announced; the Bears ahead of the 107 that the D/L formula decreed was the winning line.

In truth the Spitfires didn't enjoy much luck. They must have thought they had a good chance of victory having set an impressive total, and Mark Ealham must wonder what more he could have done for his side. The former England allrounder struck a fine half-century earlier in the day, before taking the wicket of Powell with his first ball and following it up by dismissing Ostler.

The afternoon started with Kent Spitfires setting Warwickshire Bears a challenging total of 266-9, despite suffering a mid-inning stutter.

Against the backdrop of Eid celebrations from neighbouring Cannon Hill Park, Spitfires' openers made good use of a short boundary and some loose bowling to post 50 in just the seventh over after winning the toss.

Amjad Khan (who opens for Denmark in the ICC Trophy) and Rob Key soon hit Neil Carter out of the attack. With both batsmen driving fiercely, the South African seamer's first two overs cost 21 as he struggled with line and length.

Khan took an ugly swing at Brown and departed for 21, but Hockley and Key continued untroubled and it looked as if the hosts may pay for Pollock spilling a low chance at mid-off as Key, on 42, drove uppishly at Sheikh.

But it barely mattered as 95-1 became 97-4. Hockley spooned a simple catch to Ostler at mid-on off Sheikh before Symonds was caught at point moments later as the Spitfires appeared to be losing altitude.

Troughton's one-handed catch to dismiss Symonds was sensational. The batsman cut hard at a wide long-hop, only to see the youngster fling himself to his favoured left side and pluck the speeding ball out of the air.

Worse was to follow for the Spitfires. The in-form Key fell lbw for 46, playing across the line as the visitors were forced into a period of quiet consolidation.

Fulton (captaining in the continued absence of Fleming with a thorn muscle) and Walker added a measured 60 for the fifth wicket, with Fulton beginning to look ominous. But he fell attempting a pull, dollying a catch to the young Ian Cifford off the returning Neil Carter to keep the game on an even keel.

But Ealham was soon into his stride. Dropped by Powell on eight, and badly by Sheikh on 36, he responded with sixes off Carter, Powell and Wagg as the Spitfires accelerated with a sixth-wicket partnership of 86. The ex-England allrounder brought up his 50 off just 41 balls (4x4 and 3x6), before departing to a fantastic one-handed catch by the diving Clifford. Walker, too, accelerated smoothly, clipping Brown off his legs for four before lofting him for six in successive balls.

All the bowlers suffered, though Sheikh (2-40) and Wagg (4-50) came back well. Bears' skipper, Mike Powell, bowled himself for seven overs as he juggled his attack, but chose to ignore the off-spin of ex-England man Neil Smith.

In the end though it made little difference. The Spitfires were left to rue their ill fortune as the Bears utilised the rules sensibly. Benson and Hedges Cup holders, and on top of the NUL Division One: Warwickshire can once again claim be the top one-day side in England after a barren few seasons.

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