DISS B lost a match they could easily have won against high-flying Rocklands in Lucas Fettes Norfolk League Division Eight.On a sunny day with a rock-hard pitch, Diss skipper Sean Merrick opted to bat first after a democratic consultation with his team.

DISS B lost a match they could easily have won against high-flying Rocklands in Lucas Fettes Norfolk League Division Eight.

On a sunny day with a rock-hard pitch, Diss skipper Sean Merrick opted to bat first after a democratic consultation with his team. Merrick and fellow opener Spinks put on 70 in 28 overs, the latter falling to S Pearce for 24.

Merrick, with the help of some fireworks in Jamie Allen's 32, reached 73 before the pair succumbed in consecutive overs, leaving Diss on 144-3 with five overs to go.

John Dawson, making an emotional return to the team, could only muster one but Johnny Sage (16no) and Godfrey Batley (13no) helped Diss post a good score.

In reply, Jody Sparrow and Ben Spinks bowled a tight line and length but could not force a breakthrough.

This was left to Sparrow's cool head on a hot day, running out Kay for 15.

At 95-1 from 24 overs, Rocklands could be forgiven for thinking it was in the bag but fast bowler Dawson had other ideas.

Four wickets were taken in the next six overs, as Dawson tore through the middle order, clean bowling Dunning, Doe, and S Pearce; Charlie Pask taking the other wicket.

However, opener Harrison was still at the crease. Sean Merrick took two wickets, including Harrison for a well-constructed 70 with his wily spin, but frustrations grew in the Diss camp as a mixture of dropped catches and poor fielding let Swan and G Pearce see Rocklands home with seven balls to spare.

The main difference was Diss' 31 extras to 12 from Rocklands.