THE 2013 Church Times Cricket Cup has so far been largely spared the awful weather that hampered last year's tournament. A number of group matches were played in glorious sunshine on Monday.

London, last year's finalists ( News, 7 September 2012), faced St Albans on Monday in warm sunshine at Teddington. London batted first, getting off to a confident start.

Nevertheless, after the first wicket fell, a mini-collapse set in, thanks in no small part to an inspired spell of bowling by Swavey, who took 4 for 19. London's vice-captain, Lee, put in a dogged batting performance, clocking up 51, backed up by Marshall on 22 and Kendall on a respectable 15, taking the score past 150. Some valuable late runs from Davison and Paynter took London to a final score of 182 all out, off 39.3 of their allocated 40 overs.

St Albans did not impress at the crease. The dangerous MacLeod was caught at slip by Barnes off Kendall, who went on to produce some exemplary bowling, taking 3 for 12. He was ably supported by Allerton, who took 2 for 7, and Lee, who took 2 for 1. It was not long before St Albans were all out for 50, having faced only half their allocated overs.

Peterborough played Lincoln at Thrapston on Monday. Lincoln elected to bat and scored a respectable 137 all out, Slater impressing with 47 not out. Peterborough's bowlers did their diocese proud, with Taylor and Davies each taking two wickets.

In reply, Peterborough scored 138 for 4, with a 50 partnership between Jefferson (31 not out) and Davies (32 not out), seeing the home side through to their first win in this year's competition.

Leicester, who defeated Peterborough last month ( News, 31 May), took on Norwich on Monday at Castle Rising in a tense and exciting match.

Leicester batted first and started well, with Norman putting on 36 and Broadley 32. But sharp bowling from Heywood (4 for 12), together with a slow outfield and two run outs, restricted Leicester to 152.

In reply, Norwich lost early wickets until Tyler (75) hit his team within reach of victory. Tight bowling by Taylor (2 for 18) left Norwich needing 10 to win from the last over with one wicket left. Taylor bowled Capron with the first ball of that over. Norwich were just 9 runs short, handing another victory to Leicester who are strong contenders for a quarter-final place.

Monday also saw Chichester play Guildford. Tight bowling and conscientious fielding from Chichester limited Guildford to a frugal tally of 131, despite such a fine batting wicket and large outfield.

Chichester barely broke sweat in reply, clocking up 133 for 3, with Green scoring 70 and Peterson 45, and achieving a convincing victory.

The weather in Sherborne was glorious on Monday when Salisbury played Exeter. Salisbury won the toss and chose to bat, but were soon in trouble: two wickets fell quickly, both to McKinnel, putting the home side on 1 for 2.

But solid innings from Bradbury (44), King (35) and Rimmer (46) took Salisbury to 126 for 4. After a mid-order collapse, Seymour (35*) supported by Probert and Edwards, saw the hosts to a competitive total of 207 for 9.

Exeter's reply began solidly, but soon fell behind the asking rate in the face of tight Salisbury bowling. Robertson (27) and Franklin (20) gave the visitors hope, but Exeter were eventually dismissed for 111, Stock taking 3 for 12 on his debut. Salisbury were the victors, by 96 runs.

Exeter fared better against the Forces Chaplaincy Team last month at Cullompton. The Forces Chaplains were asked to bat in overcast conditions and set off at a lively pace, reaching 23 before Hobbs struck with the first ball of the fifth over.

After that, it was a bit of a procession, only Coles (20) and Hobson (18) offering real resistance. Chaffey looked capable of steadying the ship, but took a nasty beamer on the elbow from Smith and had to leave the field for some time. By the time he returned, it was all but over. The Chaplains were all out for 72.

Exeter set about knocking off the runs carefully and got to 35 without loss. A couple of quick wickets claimed by Chaffey gave the Chaplains a ray of hope, but it didn't last long. Money scored 33 and Smith 17 not out.

A match which was scheduled to be played on Monday between Winchester and Canterbury did not go ahead because the latter side were unable to field a team. Winchester therefore took the points.

London 182 all out off 39.3 overs (Lee 51, Marshall 22, Kendall 15; Swavey 4 for 19, Baker 2 for 25). St Albans 50 all out (Kendall 3 for 12, Allerton 2 for 7, Lee 2 for 1). London won by 32 runs.

Lincoln 137 all out (Slater 47*, Dean 23, Shenton 16; Purnell 1 for 23, Davies 2 for 6, Symes 2 for 32, Wills 2 for 18, Taylor 2 for 17). Peterborough 138 for 4 (Jefferson 31*, Davies 32*, Benoy 14, Symes 14; Gosling 2 for 35). Peterborough won by 6 wickets.

Leicester 152 all out off 35 overs (Norman 36, Broadley 32, Miles 29*; Heywood 4 for 12, Smith 2 for 22). Norwich 143 all out off 34.1 overs (Tyler 75; Taylor 2 for 18, Humm 2 for 32). Leicester won by 9 runs.

Guildford 131 all out (Owen 45; Scrivener 3 for 30, Dillingham 3 for 15). Chichester 133 for 3 (Green 70, Peterson 45). Chichester won by 7 wickets.

Salisbury 207 for 9 (Rimmer 46, Bradbury 44, King 35, Seymour 35*).

Exeter 111 all out (Robertson 27, Franklin 20; Stock 3 for 12). Salisbury won by 96 runs.

Forces Chaplains 72 all out (Coles, 20, Hobson, 18; Smith, 5 for 20, Hobbs 2 for 10).

Exeter (Money 33, Smith 17*) Exeter beat the Forces Chaplains by 7 wickets.

*not out

Quarter-final draw

In this year's quarter-final draw, this is how the groups came out of the hat (the winners of each group to agree a venue):

Winner of Group 3B v Winner of Group 1B

Winner of Group 2B v Winner of Group 4B

Winner of Group 1A v Winner of Group 3A

Winner of Group 4A v Runner-up of Group 3B

Semi-final draw

The winner of 2B v 4B will play the winner of 3B v 1B.

The winner of 4A v runner-up of 3B will play the winner of 1A v 3A.