Beetley suffered their first abandonment of the season on Saturday when travelling to East Harling in the Norfolk League Division Two West.

Eyeing up second place in the table the home side surprisingly chose to bat first after winning the toss, with rain forecast later in the day.

On a worn pitch offering no swing or seam Beetley's bowlers continued where they left off last week, openers Michael Calvert and Alex Jenkins conceding only 22 runs in the first 13 overs and Calvert claiming his 18th wicket of the season.

The same change bowlers Des Curry (7-1-23-0) and Gary Hinchliffe continued the good work without looking threatening and East Harling's batsman seemingly unwilling to take risks and after 30 overs they had reached 72-3.

Hinchliffe again deserved credit after bowling through for 10-3-19-1.

Paul Taylor (5-0-18-1) picked up opener Kevin Seymour for 41 with the help of a fine boundary catch by Duncan Barrow who again led Beetley's fine fielding effort with an injured but committed keeper Mark Mitchell.

When the openers bowlers returned and continued where they left off the home side's chance of quick runs dried up and 109-3 after 40 overs ended at 137-5 off 45 with captain Calvert claiming two further successes for an excellent return of 10-3-23-3.

Alex Jenkins, although wicketless, conceding only 26 in his 10 overs and took a steepling catch.

Beetley's innings, in common with most this season, was scratchy and in the face of tight bowling they had limped to 58-5 after 25 overs before the forecast rain arrived.

At 6.45pm the captains shook hands and took the five points on offer for an abandonment.

Beetley travel to Great Ellingham this Saturday (1.30pm start).

In Division Three of the Norfolk Alliance Fakenham A were saved by the rain after slumping to 47-7 in reply to Old Buckenham A's 187-8.

Oscar Campbell was Fakenham's most successful bowler, taking 3-51 in nine overs, while Jonathan Speedman (16) was the only visiting batsman to reach double figures.

Fakenham, who are third from bottom but 45 points above the drop zone, have a tough match at home to leaders and champions-elect Martham at the weekend.