HEREFORDSHIRE County Cricket Club's hopes of getting in some match practice in preparation for their Cheltenham and Gloucester - erstwhile NatWest - Trophy second-round tie against Gloucestershire CB at Brockhampton on Tues-day, May 15 has been hit by the weather.

They were due to play a Worcestershire CCC side at New Road on Tuesday but the constant bad weather meant there was no chance of the ground being fit for play. Contingency plans had been made to switch to Kidderminster CC, only for the heavy rain last week to make that pitch unplayable.

It has been no better in the north of England, so Herefordshire's prospects of playing one-day games against a Lancashire CCC side at Old Trafford next Tuesday and Wednesday have also been dashed.

Bryan Smith, chairman of Herefordshire's cricket and selection committee, said: "We have been told that the awful weather has meant that a pitch can't be prepared for Tuesday.

"We are hoping conditions will improve sufficiently for Wednesday's match to go ahead but we will have to wait until later in the week to see if that proves to be the case.

"It's the same pattern as last year when a wet April meant that most of our players had not had any match practice before we took on a Sussex Board Xl in the NatWest Trophy at Colwall and lost by six runs."

Having lost nearly £11,831 last year, Herefordshire have had to keep a close eye on costs this season and need to beat Gloucestershire CB and book a revenue-raising third-round tie against Middlesex at Luctonians on June 27.

Smith said: "A tie with Middlesex is our best chance of making some money so we are anxious for our squad to get some games behind them before we take on the Gloucestershire board."

Although the Brock-hampton ground is surrounded by farmland, it has clearance from local farmers and MAFF to stage the tie.

Smith said: "Unless there should be an outbreak of foot and mouth which puts the ground in an exclusive zone, Brockhampton will be available. But, of course, we need some fine weather so work can be carried out on the pitch."

Herefordshire start their defence of the ECB 38 County Cup against Wales at Pontardulais on Sun-day, May 20.