Bad break for fielder

BELTON entertained their regular Bank Holiday tourists from Nottingham Unity Casuals at the sodden Common on Sunday and succumbed to an onslaught of stroke play by M Sharma to surrender the Challenge Shield back to Nottingham.

Drizzle most of the morning led to a delayed start and a match reduced to 35 overs a side.

Belton decided that in the conditions bowling first would be a great advantage.

Things went according to the script for the first hour as Dominic Bareham, Tom Knight and Jason Jones each picked up a wicket for the overall cost of 33 runs.

The fourth wicket fell after another half hour and the home side were satisfied with progress with the visitors on 95 for four from 21 overs.

Skipper Knight decided to give some of his other bowers a chance and M Sharma decided to take them downtown.

In an astonishing onslaught lasting only 14 overs he pushed the score to 294 with his contribution a massive 201 before he perished to Belton débutant Anthony Mead, caught by Saj Ali on the deep long-on boundary from the last ball of the innings.

Faced with such a massive total Belton looked to the experienced players to lead a spirited reply. Six players reached double figures, but none could push on to a really big score.

Wickets fell with annoying regularity. Thirty-two was the top partnership and Gary Warner's 20 not out was the top score. Some pride was restored as the Notts bowlers were unable to dismiss the side and Belton reached a respectable 151 for eight from their 35 overs. Two wickets for E Azam led the visitor's bowling.

To complete the day, Paul Hodds had his finger broken trying to catch the rampant Sharma after only a few overs and went to the James Paget - the same batsman managed to clear the mid-wicket boundary, avoid the trees, avoid the fence and hit Hodds' brand new car. What a day!