BELTON quickly put paid to any hangover from the previous week's record low score as they brought high-flying Brooke down to earth with a 33-run win in Saturday's Norfolk League Division Three match.

BELTON quickly put paid to any hangover from the previous week's record low score as they brought high-flying Brooke down to earth with a 33-run win in Saturday's Norfolk League Division Three match.

Excellent work by the Brooke ground staff meant that a prompt start at 2pm was possible despite the morning's rain. Underneath the covers the wicket was damp but firm and very green.

Brooke skipper Paul Daines had no hesitation in asking Belton to bat first in a match reduced to 40 overs a side, with the leaden skies catching the players casting longing glances at the comfort of the bar. Only a few spots of rain fell all day, however.

Belton openers Alec Toll and Steve Day were keen to put bat to ball and had reached 46 before Toll was bowled off his pads by E Sturman for 30.

Phil Plummer stylishly smacked 35, including five fours and a six, to add impetus to an already reasonable score as 100 came up in the 20th over.

His innings was ended when R Cushing got one to bounce and catch the back of his bat and he was caught at slip. The score had reached 137 when Tom Knight was bowled by E Sturman and the impetus was lost.

From a promising position Belton crept to 153, the last five wickets producing only 16 runs, Belton all out for 153. R Cushing's 4-42 was the pick of the home bowling figures.

In reply, Brooke collapsed to 4-3 as Gerry Jackson had Bennett bowled for nought and Phil Plummer had Cushing caught behind for nought and Daynes bowled for nought and 4-11 became 5-19 as Plummer had Andrews caught at the wicket by Steve Parr for seven, the first of four victims. R Timm (2) was run out by a superb throw from the boundary by Gerald Jackson.

Late on, Belton skipper Tom Knight decided to enter the fray himself and he picked up the wickets of R Cushing and Spencer Jackson.

Gary Warner took an athletic catch to account for Jackson for just one and the visitors looked on course for an easy win. Brooke's Feltham began to accumulate steady runs.

Gerry Jackson was re-introduced and had Feltham caught at the wicket to see Belton home with 33 runs to spare.