HETHERSETT and Tas Valley's preparations for the new season suffered a blow when a torrential downpour forced the abandonment of their friendly against Ketteringham Hall on Sunday.

HETHERSETT and Tas Valley's preparations for the new season suffered a blow when a torrential downpour forced the abandonment of their friendly against Ketteringham Hall on Sunday.

Hethersett were able to get some much needed batting practice before the rains came, scoring 184-7 in 35 overs with solid knocks from Richard Ellis (13), youngster Tom Brandon Street (32), Matthew Ellis (49), Jack Smith (15), Ross Jones (22) and Nick Burrett (24). Ketteringham Hall were prevented from beginning their reply by the weather.

Off the field, preparations for the new season have been going well with the sprucing up of the club's ground at Flordon.

The pavilion has been painted and 20 volunteers helped to install new sight screens and tidy the pitch up.

The club is also busy raising funds for a new electronic scoreboard.

This season Hethersett and Tas Valley will be competing in Divisions One, Five and Ten of the Norfolk League and also the Mid Norfolk Sunday League Division One, along with numerous cup competitions.

The club will also be running junior sides at U11, U13 and U16 levels.

This weekend Hethersett have two more friendlies.

On Saturday they are home to Chapelfield and on Sunday home to Caister.

Norfolk League matches start on May 3 with the firsts at Beccles, the seconds home to Civil Service and the thirds at Blundeston.