It was a familiar story for Beetley as they travelled to the picturesque Salle Church ground to face unbeaten Reepham & Salle in NCL Division Two West.

With uncertain weather around captain Michael Calvert chose to field first.

Opening bowlers captain Calvert (6.2-1-23-1) and Mark Hinchliffe bowled tightly, with only eight runs coming in the first eight overs.

Gradually R Allen and Fred Playford built a platform before Hinchcliffe (10-5-27-1) bowled Allen for 29 with the score on 42. Reepham's second wicket added 61 and with a large total looming the skipper bought Lewis Jones (5-0-22-2) on. He extracted previously unseen life from the pitch, claiming two quick wickets including the opener Playford, well caught by Mark Hinchliffe, for 45.

With Gary Hinchliffe bowling his usual tight lines from the other end Reepham subsided from 103-1 to 110-4 inside 31 overs and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Beetley claimed maximum bowling points as Reepham were bowled out for 166 in the 41st over.

Gary Hinchliffe led the way with 4-34 in his 10 overs while Paul Taylor took 2-29 and with two top catches by keeper Mark Mitchell and good ground fielding Beetley could feel well pleased with their efforts.

Beetley's chase began watchfully against a lively pace attack and after 12 overs the score stood at 23-3. But Mark Hinchliffe and Michael Calvert put a good stand together and added 52 before Hinchcliffe was lbw to Reepham skipper George Wright shortly followed Calvert for a well struck 45 (one six and five fours).

The familiar tale unfolded quickly however as Beetley went from 92-3 in the 26th over to be bowled out for 98 in the 36th.

Beetley host East Harling on Saturday (1.30pm).

In Norfolk Alliance Division Two Bradenham are still looking for their first win of the season after losing a desperately tight match against Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers.

The hosts were restricted to only 172 at Barton Turf, with Alex Bates claiming 3-25, but that proved just enough as Bradenham were dismissed for 162 in the final over to lose by 10 runs.

No 9 Will Dewing scored a hard-hitting 45 while Marcus Evans made 32,

Bradenham are at home to Swaffham on Saturday (1pm).