Diss give defending champions Fakenham a good game before sliding to defeat

Diss began their second straight season in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division with a tight home defeat against defending champions Fakenham.

Skipper Mark Williamson won the toss and inserted the away side into bat on a chilly afternoon at Rectory Meadow in a match reduced to 40 overs per side.

Diss made the perfect start with openers Sam Hunt and Williamson each picking up wickets. Williamson had J Ewart caught behind for five and Hunt (1-24) surprised Bammant (9) with a short ball, Lewis Taylor taking both catches.

Consistent spells from Robert Tooke (1-14) and Jordon Warren (2-37) lead to further inroads in the top order. Tooke had Harvey caught for three and Warren trapped Caswell (7) lbw shortly afterwards.

Diss reduced Fakenham to 54-5 when Warren bowled R Ewart for three. The away side were 60-5 at the halfway stage after a dominant 20 overs from Diss.

Fakenham turned their innings around primarily thanks to the work of Dunger and Buckingham. The pair steered their team to a competitive total and took advantage of some looser bowling.

Despite the efforts of debutant Rob Lockwood (1-53), Dunger passed 50 and Buckingham contributed significantly. Lockwood then picked up a deserved wicket when he bowled Buckingham.

Diss finally removed Dunger for an excellent 65 thanks to Williamson (2-24) but the damage had been done. Fakenham scored over 100 in the last 16 overss and recorded a total of 181-7.

In reply neither of the Diss openers Williamson (6) or Brawn (5) could get going, both falling lbw to Caswell.

That brought overseas debutant Jebb Swallow to the crease and he looked to counter-attack but David Tooke edged a fine delivery from Caswell to slip, leaving Diss on the brink at 25-3.

However, Swallow and new batsman Robert Tooke guided Diss to 66-3 at drinks and kept them in the match.

Swallow brought up a composed 50 but with just 70 needed for victory in the 12 overs Tooke was run out from a direct hit for 39 and that sparked a flurry of wickets. Taylor (0), Warren (7), Alfie Brydon (1) and Doug Young (0) all fell in quick succession and Diss collapsed from 110-3 to 136-8.

With the run rate climbing, Swallow decided to go big and lost his wicket as a result. He was bowled by Dunger for an impressive 64 and with him went Diss' chances of victory. They were dismissed for 146 inside 38 overs, 35 short of their target.

Diss will look to bounce back when travel to Stow on Saturday (12 noon).

Recently relegated Old Buckenham could be the team to watch in Division One. They hammered Horsford A by 133 runs in their opener after making 221.

The Bucks make the short trip to early pacesetters Swardeston A on Saturday.