For the first time in the competition's four-year history, the NCU moved the group stages to four separate venues on the same day, where three clubs from the Premier League and Section Two would play each other once, with the top team from each group progressing to the semi-finals.

However, the first attempt to play the group stages was ruined by rain a fortnight ago when not a single ball was bowled in anger.

If a decidedly gloomy weekend weather forecast is correct, an identical scenario looms tomorrow when the plan is to try all over again at Wallace Park, Middle Road, Upritchard Park and Queensway.

If the forecasters have got it right for once, then we may well have no play and this time there is no plan B – any outstanding matches will be decided by bowl-outs.

Michael Foster, who is due to be match manager at Wallace Park where hosts Lisburn entertain Woodvale and cup holders Waringstown in Group B, said the bowl-out scenario was one everyone wanted to avoid.

"Unfortunately it is the only option if the games are not played, with the tight schedule this season they will not be replayed, and it's the case that we must have four semi-finalists come Sunday night," he said.

"Nobody wants to see bowl-outs in Twenty20, it's a lottery and it could lead to some strange results. But let's take an optimistic view and hope that the sun will shine."

Bangor, North Down and Section Two Downpatrick meet in Group A at Upritchard Park while in Group C Derriaghy host Instonians and CIYMS. Carrickfergus host Cliftonville and Civil Service North at Middle Road in Group D.

Twenty20 finals day has been provisionally arranged for Sunday, August 10 at Shaw's Bridge.