Diss put in a spirited performance against top-of-the-table, and reigning champions Downham Market, to come away with a valuable losing draw. Upon losing the toss Diss were asked to take the field, as the formidable Downham batting line-up fancied racking up a large total.

Diss put in a spirited performance against top-of-the-table, and reigning champions Downham Market, to come away with a valuable losing draw.

Upon losing the toss Diss were asked to take the field, as the formidable Downham batting line-up fancied racking up a large total.

At 141 without loss that's exactly what they looked like doing. Diss' opening bowlers had toiled away without success; Chris Germon in particular leaked boundaries. Rob Tooke and Chris Cooper bowled their spin throughout the middle overs, and grasped some control on the run rate, but the elusive wicket was still missing. Tooke eventually made the breakthrough in the 31st over, trapping Tulett lbw for 65.

With so many wickets in hand Downham were able to throw caution to the wind in search for fast runs. Simon Cooper haemorrhaged runs in his eight-over spell without success, but the returning Gooderham and Chris Cooper bowled well at the death. Karl Gooderham took the wickets of Cunningham (14), Corbett (3), and J Stuart (8), while Cooper had the impressive A Stuart caught in the gully by Wilby for 79.

The final few overs saw Will Dawson chip in with a wicket, and Rob Tooke run out Pat Yates on the last ball of the match for a brisk 58. Downham finished on 279 for 9, but Diss can be proud of the way they fielded throughout, Rob Tooke and Benji Spinks in particular were exemplary in the field, and although a daunting total, there's no doubt Downham were setting their sights on a score over 300.

Diss started their reply in positive fashion as James Wilby took a liking to the four different bowlers Downham used in the opening six overs, after which Diss stood on 47 without loss. Henry Rush was soon to depart for a subdued 9, which brought Dave Tooke to the crease.

Together Tooke and Wilby batted sensibly, and Wilby soon passed his 50 in double quick time, only to fall soon after for 51. Rob Tooke joined his brother and the siblings put on a stand of 84 before Dave was bowled for a beautifully crafted 62. Despite being in little danger of losing, the run rate started to increase and an outright win started to seem unlikely.

Realising this Rob Tooke unleashed himself on the Downham attack, smashing overseas pro Cunningham out of the ground on three occasions. The returning Adam Todd then picked up Rob Tooke (62) and Chris Cooper (20) in consecutive overs, so Diss' attention switched to survival. But in typical Diss fashion they almost gifted Downham the match as Spinks, Dawson, Weal, and Gooderham all fell for only a solitary run between them, which left Chris Germon, to bat out the final three balls of the match and secure Diss a losing draw.

Again, Diss can be proud of finishing on a very respectable 242 for 9.

Rob Tooke pipped Karl Gooderham to the man- of-the-match award for his miserly 13 overs of bowling, and a dynamic 61 with the bat.

Downham Market 279 for 7 (K Gooderham 3-42, W Dawson 1-16) drew with Diss 242 for 9 (D Tooke 62, R Tooke 61, J Wilby 51).