DISS CC's Norfolk Alliance Premier Division campaign took another setback as they were comprehensively beaten by strong rivals Fakenham by 115 runs.

Diss will look to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they play hosts to Vauxhall Mallards.

Diss returned from a relatively fruitless trip to Fakenham with few positives, but the two biggest plus points were the inspired bowling spell from Robbie West and the gritty batting performance of captain, Simon Cooper (MoM).

Winning the toss and taking the field first, Diss' opening bowlers got off to contrasting starts, as Chris Germon struggled to find his length, and Robbie West was bowling with vigour.

The controlled aggression paid off in the eighth over as West bowled the prolific run-maker, Harvey, for 17. S Gray (9), fell to West a few overs later with James Wilby taking a smart catch at square leg.

Despite Diss doing well to take regular wickets, with West taking another two in his inspired 13- over spell, and one for Simon Cooper, runs continued to flow. With the score 109 for five after 25 overs, the game was very much in the balance.

Diss were dealt some bad luck when Tom Weal took a nasty blow behind the stumps which dislocated his finger, meaning Will Dawson had to deputise.

J Brown played with particular freedom in his accomplished 56. Despite more wickets falling, Fakenham showed their incredible depth in batting, as Hillerman, in at nine, smashed 47 in 29 balls to push the final total to a commanding 247-9.

In reply, Ben Spinks (3) fell to Burton in only the second over. A promising 30-minute stand, either side of a rain break, between Simon Cooper and James Wilby (17) was undone when the latter was caught behind off the impressive Hillerman.

A procession of wickets then followed. Chris Germon joined Simon Cooper (59) and they put on 73 for the seventh wicket. Germon (26) played a gem of an innings with some new-found confidence. Diss were all out for 132 – but it could have been a lot worse.

Fakenham 247-9 (Robbie West 4-61, Chris Cooper 2-48) beat Diss 132 all out (Simon Cooper 59, Chris Germon 26) by 115 runs.