Beetley went down to an 83 run defeat to Norfolk League Division Two West leaders Narborough on Saturday.

The visitors batted first and Beetley's opening bowlers Michael Calvert and Alex Jenkins kept them in check with tight spells.

Jenkins struck first with the wicket of Matthew Coe, caught by Luke Corden, and Narborough were unable to accelerate the scoreboard.

Teenage debutant James Cherry and veteran Gary Hinchliffe took over and Beetley — who only had 10 players — managed to stay in the game.

They both took two wickets and Cherry had very impressive figures of 2-28 and also took a catch.

As the innings went on, the leaders started to show why they in such a strong position in the league and steadily upped the run rate.

The dangerous Danny King scored 36 while Matthew Steeles (51 not out) and Jordan Grass (27 not out) put on an unbeaten 83 for the sixth wicket to take Narborough to 186 for 5.

Jenkins finished with 1-29 and Hinchliffe ended up with 2-37.

Beetley lost another player at the tea interval so only had nine batsmen.

They got off to a disastrous start when Hinchliffe fell to the first ball of the innings and Tom Esterhuizen then also fell to King in the first over.

Stand-in opener Mark Mitchell showed commendable calmness and stoicism as he batted for more than 30 overs for his 11 as wickets fell around him.

Cherry followed up his good showing with the ball by top scoring with 33 while Nick Calvert and Jenkins added 11 each.

Michael Calvert (15 not out) and Ian Clarke (6 not out) ensured Beetley got a 'pity point' as they reached 103-6.

Beetley entertain Reepham and Salle this Saturday, 1.30pm.

Saxlingham made it eight wins in a row in Division One as they moved into second place after beating bottom side Castle Acre by nine wickets.

Castle Rising stay in top spot as they beat Happisburgh by 10 wickets chasing 161 – Rob Child and Ollie Denton knocking off the runs. Sandringham slip to third after losing at Kirkley & Belton, while Overstrand remain fourth after beating St Andrews. Felthorpe put daylight between themselves and the relegation places as they beat Great Yarmouth by 146 runs.