Yorkshire Phoenix's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Friends Prov-ident Trophy took a knock when their match against Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston was washed out yesterday.

They must now win their three remaining North Conf-erence games in order to feel confident of occupying one of the top two places.

Because Warwickshire currently hold top spot, a point from the no result' contest suited them more.

Despite many hours of torrential rain, it was hoped the game would go ahead when conditions improved during the morning but the groundstaff's work was undone by further downpours.

Ironically, the weather was brightening up considerably at 3.45pm when it was it called off.

The two sides are beginning to feel jinxed in this new-style competition because in the corresponding match at Headingley Carnegie last year, Yorkshire batted for only four overs before heavy rain brought the contest to a close.

Phoenix play lowly Derbyshire in a day-night match at Derby on Thursday, are at home to Durham on Sunday and their final fixture is against Northamptonshire at Headingley on Wednesday, June 13.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire members are still in mourning for Dr John Turner, who died at Headingley on the first day of the Test match last Friday.

Dr Turner, a life member of the club, served on the general committee as a Wakefield representative from 1975-84 and for the last five of those years was chairman of the public relations sub-committee.