Sam Arthurton continued his prolific mid-summer form with a fine century as the Unicorns gave England's Under-19s a tough workout in Loughborough ahead of their series against South Africa.

The 25-year-old opener, who scored 155 and an unbeaten 67 in Norfolk's opening Minor Counties Championship win against Lincolnshire, top scored with 109 as the Unicorns piled up 423-8 in reply to the Under-19s total of 299-4.

Staffordshire's Zen Malik made 86 and shared a second-wicket stand of 182 with Arthurton and then Herefordshire's Peter Burgoyne made the youngsters suffer further in the heat by smashing 83 from 37 balls.

The Under-19s then lost five wickets in their second innings before escaping with a draw.

'This is my third time playing in this game and it's always a good two days,' said Arthurton. 'Good competitive cricket - obviously the England-19s boys have got a big series coming up so it's good preparation for them but it's also a chance for a few of the lads to show what they've got.

'We've got a lot of talent in our team, and when we get an opportunity to have a bat and a bowl, it's good to be able to show that. As an opening it was a chance to get my head down and score some runs. It was nice personally to do that.

'Things are going well at Norfolk. We're through to T20 Finals Day and we had a good Championship win against Lincs. It was nice to get a big 100 and then finish the job off in the second innings. That's my role and when it's going right you've got to try and continue it.'

Arthurton will be hoping to maintain his excellent form on Saturday when Great Witchingham entertain Norwich in their latest Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League match.

The other fixture in Norfolk is at The Common, where Swardeston entertain Mildenhall in a contest that pits third against fourth.

Elsewhere Vauxhall Mallards travel to Cambridge Granta and Horsford are at Burwell and Exning while leaders Sudbury will be odds on to maintain their position at the top when they host bottom side Bury St Edmunds.

Norfolk's over-60s were beaten by league leaders Hertfordshire at Old Buckenham.

The home bowlers were made to toil in the sun as Herts scored freely to make 290-3.

In reply Norfolk made an excellent start with an opening partnership of 112 between Robin Yates (71) and Peter Coote (48) but after this runs became hard to come by and they finished on 203-4.

The over-60s second team travelled to Moseley to play Warwickshire and a good bowling and fielding display restricted the hosts to 241-6. Norfolk's reply began briskly and with good support opener Geoff Roper saw his home with two overs to spare with an excellent 117 not out.

The over-70s had two games, the first at league leaders Surrey.

Norfolk struggled against a good attack and made 123-8. This was never enough but the bowlers performed well, with Surrey taking 38 overs to reach their target.

Against Hampshire at Brooke Norfolk scored 159 and a strong Hampshire side reached their target for the loss of one wicket.