Norfolk League round-up: Belton edge a thriller to take advantage of weather-hit schedule

So far this season, the Norfolk Cricket League – sponsored by Stadia – has seen an incredibly high percentage of games played, writes Mike Ridout.

The end of the football season, and Norwich City Football Club's involvement in the Championship play-offs hardly affected fixtures. However, the prolonged and persistent rain on Saturday put a serious dent in the 'games played' column, with 10 starting and only seven of them going to completion – all of them taking advantage of the 'reduced overs rules' that were put in place a couple of seasons back.

In Division One Belton closed the gap on the sides above them making 190 with Wayne Goreham (61) and Abdur Rehman (79) the main contributors. Caister nearly caught them falling just short with 187, Rob Brown making 51. In Division Two Ketteringham Hall won a 20-over thriller off the penultimate ball of the game at Costessey.

In Division 3E Winterton A and Gillingham both won, Jordan Barber taking 4-27 at Gillingham, whilst John Fuller made 72 and Jak Clarke took 4-44 in the Bungay versus Winterton game. No other fixtures survived the weather, as was the case in 3W and 4W, whilst in 4E Blundeston A comfortably overcame Kirkley & Lowestoft A.

In the only game completed in 5E Beeston again showed they are a force to be reckoned with racking up 186-3 in 30 overs, Chris Woods making 86 not out and Matt White 48no, against Horsford C. Despite Will Pumell's 51 Horsford were restricted to 147 thanks in the main to a return of 5-16 for Ben Wall. In 5W, 126no for Michael Calvert helped Beetley to an impressive 201 in 20 overs as they overcame a spirited Swanton Morley A side. Dave Yarham also shone with the bat but his unbeaten 135 in Overstand's 275-5 counted for little against Felthorpe A as rain won the day.

In other news, league officials thanked all those who made nominations for the May player and junior player of the month awards. Results will be announced shortly via the press and the organisation's Facebook page.