The defending Twenty20 champions were well placed at No. 1 Oval on Friday, sitting at 1-61 after eight overs in reply to the Cougars' total of 115 before umpires Jason Sell and Keith Morton made the decision to leave the field as the rain tumbled down.

Despite the covers going on and Rugby players wanting to wait for the rain to pass, the umpires made the decision after 45 minutes of rain that the field was not going to be suitable for play.

The shared points mean Rugby now sit equal first with Christies Crackerjacks, just one point in front of Newtown and two ahead of the Cricketer's Arms Journeymen.

Unfortunately for Rugby, those three sides all have a game in hand on the defending champs.

Only the top three go through to the finals, putting a huge amount of significance on Rugby's final round match against the Journeymen, set for February 20.

On Friday night CYMS won the toss and batted and after reaching 22 without loss in just the third over Stuart Naden (11) was dismissed by Ben Patterson.

They then slumped to 4-45 and from there never recovered with only Todd Summers (21) spending any meaningful time at the crease.

Tailenders Dale O'Donnell (16) and Thomas Nelson (14) showed some fight as they helped the score pass three figures.

Teenager Tyler Woodrow impressed with the ball for Rugby, taking 2-14 while Patterson (3-27) and Jacob Bruce (2-16) were the other multiple wicket-takers.

Mitch Bower began the run chase in fine form for Rugby while junior Charlie Kempston impressed before falling for 11 off the bowling off Naden.

Bower was powerful on the drive while he also comfortably cleared the fence with a flick to the leg side and at 41 not out looked set to guide his team to victory.

But the rain, which had been falling for most of Rugby's innings, forced the umpires to leave the field and eventually abandon the match.