SUFFOLK’S hopes that it would be third time lucky in the Minor Counties Trophy campaign this weekend have been dashed.

After successive wash-outs against Lincolnshire at Copdock and Norfolk at Horsford in their first two Group Two matches, Suffolk were set to face Wiltshire in the 50 overs-a-side competition at Ipswich School on Sunday, but the match was called off yesterday afternoon.

Suffolk chairman Norman Atkins and secretary Toby Pound yesterday visited Ipswich School where they met gerounds manager Ray East.

Pound said: “The ground is waterlogged and Ray and his team cannot get onto the wicket/square to do any work. The forecast is not good and there is no way the ground will be fit for play on Sunday.

“We have spoken to Framlingham College and Bury St Edmunds which have exactly the same problem. Wednesday night’s rain fell on very wet ground and is not draining away.

“Regrettably, we have therefore taken the decision to call off Sunday’s game.”

Suffolk’s final group game is away to Shropshire at Shifnal a week on Sunday.

Skipper Justin Bishop said: “The group will now come down to the last round of fixtures, when we will have to not only win but do so with a good run-rate, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”