Slosh, slip, slide, rain and more rain eventually put paid to any hope of cricket when the MCC travelled to Kate Brook, the home of Chudleigh CC, to mark the final event of the club's 150 years celebration season.
Despite the rain, the officials – as pictured in the swamp-like conditions – waited until mid afternoon before calling off the game against a first class side representing the MCC.
MCC skipper Martyn Ball said: 'We are delighted to be here despite the terrible weather, and it is a great shame that there won't be any cricket.
'We are all here to play cricket and are keen to do so but even a limited overs game is out of the question. It is heartbreaking for Chudleigh having put on such a special day for us.
'We are very disappointed, especially as so many people have taken time off to travel to Devon, but we wish Chudleigh well and congratulate them on such a fantastic achievement.'
Chudleigh chairman Simon Knight summed up everyone's feelings with a quip from the last line of a match report which covered the centenary game in 1959, also at Kate Brook, which read: 'Hopefully, now, we can get on with the game as it appears we have beaten the inclement weather'.
Following a lunch which was also attended by Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, club patron, various awards were given to members for their hard work, and penants exchanged between Chudleigh and the MCC.
It is hoped that there may be a way to re- arrange the fixture in 2010 and discussions are under way to explore the possibilities of this happening.
Despite the disappointment, all the MCC players stayed on for the rest of the day and into mid evening, with the weather not stopping every form of cricket as the two teams played each other on the WII computer TV cricket game, which brought much laughter and cheering as the two teams played out an eight-a-side test series.
The Red Arrows flypast eventually took place at around 6.30pm.