TOP batsman Steve James briefly beat the rain and launched a blistering display of big hitting in his benefit game at Lydney last Friday.

Most would-be cricketing fans had given up the ghost by the time the rain relented last Friday – they were enjoying tea at home when Steve walked to the wicket to try and salvage something from what should have been a memorable benefit match against a Lydney Select X1.

The Lydney-born Glamorgan captain took it out on the weather and plundered the home team's bowling as he smashed a very impressive 40 in double quick time.

One glorious hit was off the bowling of his former team-mate and cricketing mentor, Bob 'Basher' Brain, who came out of retirement to chance his arm with bat and ball – and ended up retrieving a mighty six from the adjoining rugby ground.

In reality the game was reduced to a 20 over knock-about and for much of the afternoon Steve and his Glamorgan team-mates could only look on as the rain poured down.

However Steve's benefit did receive a boost in the evening. Around 100 people attended a dinner at the nearby rugby club and enjoyed a splendid meal.

Highlight of the evening was the speech by Glamorgan supporter David Yendell.