To carry his bat for a career-best 130 and then end up on the losing side was quite an experience for young Henry Rush at Diss CC against Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday.

To carry his bat for a career-best 130 and then end up on the losing side was quite an experience for young Henry Rush at Diss CC against Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday.

Losing the toss and asked to bat, Diss made a steady start against a tight bowling attack of Goldsmith and Ing. The latter made the breakthrough when he bowled Wilty for 16.

Rush was then joined by Dawson who played some fine shots in his 43, when he was out with the score on 143 only 14 overs remained for Diss to make a substantial score.

The Tooke brothers perished with four between them in the quest for quick runs. This brought Chris Cooper to the crease who unleashed some powerful strokes to make an unbeaten 62 as he and Rush put on 109 runs in the final 10 overs.

Rush was a revelation scoring all round the wicket off the front foot and bat, not a bad ball went unpunished in a sumptuous innings carrying his bat for 130 out of the final total of 271 for four wickets.

Former county bowler Goldsmith was always difficult to get away, starting with his quick stuff but reverting to spin when he pulled a hamstring.

Replying, Mallards were not in the least intimidated as they went for the 272 needed to win, with relish. Diss were handicapped when opening bowler G Eamon hurt himself in nets and couldn't bowl a ball and hobbled about in the field. Overseas player Arendse made a cultured 22 before Weal made the first of two fine catches behind the stumps to dismiss him off Gooderham but Mallards steadily made runs, Seager with 81 and Stone with 60 homed in on the target.

Diss bowlers were not at their best, albeit against some fine batsmen. Rob Tooke, normally such a consistent bowler went for 68 in his 11 overs of long hops and over-pitched deliveries from the others.

Rush chipped in with a couple of cheap wickets to go with his century, but even he could not prevent a victory in the penultimate over. A great game with lots of runs scored but disappointing for the home side with a five-wicket defeat.

Scores: Diss, 271 for four wickets (H Rush 130 not out, C Cooper 62 not out).

Vauxhall Mallards, 272 for five wickets (M Seager 81, O Stone 60, H Rush 2-21).

Diss man of the match: Henry Rush.

Diss (7 pts) lost to Vauxhall Mallards (22 pts) by five wickets - the umpires deducted one point from Mallards for a slow over rate.

This week Diss are away to Swardston 1pm start.

Meanwhile, Diss club captain skippered Norfolk Over 50s 2nd XI to a comfortable five-wicket victory at Old Buckenham on Wednesday.

Fielding first with Mick Tooke at the helm, Tooke shrewdly manipulated his bowlers against their Suffolk counterparts, restricting them to 130 and then the maestro was at the crease when the winning hit was made.