Chantelle Handy opened the score with a long range jumper, but Natallia Marchanka then levelled the score before putting Belarus in front.

Jo Leedham tied the score at 8-8 before Natallia Anufryienka put Belarus in front, though Azania Stewart struck to make it 14-11 at the break.

Belarus stretched their lead at the start of the second period and Britain struggled to contain their opponents as they raced into a 24-13 lead.

Anufryienka was in inspired form to stretch the lead before Stewart pulled a point back, and she combined with Page to keep Britain in touch at half time, trailing 31-20.

Page then opened the scoring in the second half before Natalie Stafford hit a jumper, but Belarus then pulled away again with five unanswered points as they went into the final period 45-28 ahead.

Kim Butler then opened the scoring late in the final quarter but Belarus piled on the points as they cruised to a comfortable 15 point win.

Tom Maher, Britain's coach, was in a positive mood despite the loss.

"I can't be upset because we worked hard and that is the important thing.

"We've never played against sides of this level before certainly not in official competition, so I'm happy with our performance.

"We tried hard but we're not yet at the level where we can expect to beat teams at Belarus' level yet."

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