DESPITE poor weather, Diss consolidated their position in the Alliance Premier League with a superb seven-wicket win at North Runcton. This weekend Diss are at home to Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday, 1pm start and host Bradenham in the second round of the Carter Cup on Sunday, 11am start.

DESPITE poor weather, Diss consolidated their position in the Alliance Premier League with a superb seven- wicket win at North Runcton.

This weekend Diss are at home to Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday, 1pm start and host Bradenham in the second round of the Carter Cup on Sunday, 11am start.

Winning the toss and fielding, the Runcton total was dominated by an opening stand of 136, finally broken when Rob Tooke had Rawlings well caught by Gooderham for 56.

Immediate success followed when number three Jefferson was run out by German to be followed by top scorer Coote well out of his ground when his stumps were brilliantly shattered by Wilby for 80. To complete a hat-trick of

run outs, Rob Tooke made an accurate throw to dismiss Hemater.

The only other wicket to fall went to Rush who trapped Forder lbw for one. From the start they had, Diss did very well to restrict the home side to their final total of 208 for five wickets. That they did was a tribute to some accurate bowling from the seven bowlers that skipper Dave Tooke used as he rang the changes, some excellent ground fielding backed up by another fine wicket keeping display by Tom Weal.

Replying for Diss, fine young players Wilby and Rush put the Runcton attack to the sword in an exciting opening stand of 95.

Rush, in particular, put in a faultless display and reached his 50 out of 71 scored to assure Diss were never behind the clouds. Wilby was first to depart caught in the deep with six boundaries in his 32.

Rush followed on 120 but his 61 with two fours was instrumental in setting up the victory. Dawson with an aggressive 24 was the only other wicket to fall, but this included the shot of the day, an aesthetically pleasing on drive.

Tooke brothers Dave and Rob saw Diss to victory with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 75 with energy power and timing including 14 boundaries as Diss cruised to a seven-wicket victory. For Runcton, South African Berkensure bowled well and was always difficult to get away, but for most of the match Diss were well in command.

Scores: North Runcton (5 pts) 208-5 (P Cooke 80, G Rawlings 56). Diss (21 pts) 211-3 9H Rush 61, D Tooke 41 not out).

Diss MoM: Henry Rush, his quick 61 set up a comfortable victory.