Stern test for Diss A

After a disappointing display against their Hethersett and Tas Valley counterparts, Diss A will need a positive result against Dereham A this week if they are to have realistic ambitions of promotion.

After beginning the season very strongly, Diss A entertained Hethersett and Tas Valley A looking to keep the momentum going.

After losing the toss and being inserted into bat, Diss openers Craig Barker and Alex Blakely needed a good start, this wasn't forthcoming as Blakely fell cheaply for one.

This brought to the crease Mark Williamson, and he along with Barker battled hard against some accurate bowling.

After putting on 45, Williamson fell for 25, looking to up the run rate. Next in was key man Mike Tooke, who got off the mark with a gorgeous six over long-off.

Just as Diss were looking good on

86-2, Barker fell for a patient 30.

Gareth Kilian was next to the crease, and was required to support the impressive Tooke. But he soon fell for five, followed by Jamie Allen for 0, as Diss capitulated, four players getting a duck, and Mike Tooke holing out in the deep for a well-crafted 60.

Hethersett's bowlers would have been pleased with their efforts, especially Scott who finished with 2-21 off 12 miserly overs.

In reply, Diss pace pair Robbie West and Jack Bell looked to be aggressive in the search for early wickets.

This duly arrived when stand in captain Bell bowled Mitchell for seven with a beautiful in-swinger. But a second-wicket partnership of 82 between Hayes and Smith won the game for Hethersett.

Despite the enthusiastic Barker picking up both their wickets, and the ever impressive spin of Williamson picking up 2-22 in 12 testing overs, Hethersett squeezed home with two overs to spare, with the nerveless Hurst ending on a cool 16 not out.

Diss A 141 all out (44.4 overs) Hethersett and Tas Valley A 142-7 (44.3overs).

In the previous game Diss A played Brooke A and got a winning draw.

After the disappointment of losing at Cromer, Diss A were aiming to make amends as they made the trip to high flyers Brooke A.

Having lost the toss and been put into bat on a very muggy day, Diss openers Craig Barker and David Williman were aiming to start positively on a fast scoring ground.

However in the fifth over, after hitting a huge straight six, Barker was deceived by a slower ball from Hayman to perish for 10.

This brought to the wicket captain fantastic Tim Courridge, who immediately looked to get on top of the bowling, his second scoring shot sailing over the ropes.

Despite Brooke making numerous bowling changes, Courridge continued to play in his merry way and with the old head of Williman at the other end Diss were shaping up well with 95 on the board after 20.

It wasn't until the 26th over that Brooke struck again, Williman going for a well-crafted 44 to a good snare at square leg.

This brought in Mark Williamson, who immediately looked positive, and along with the imperious Courridge, the pair put on 91 in 13 overs before Williamson went for a tidy 28.

The fall of this wicket saw Diss tail away towards the end of the innings, with Courridge falling for a magnificent 155 (22 fours, five sixes).

Some attempted late hitting from Andy Tebble and Jamie Allen saw Diss end up on a respectable 267-5.

In reply, Diss opened up with regulars Robbie West and Jack Bell, and with the very first ball West struck with a vicious in-swinging yorker to have Cushing out for a duck.

With Brooke unable to get either bowler away, they became very frustrated, and both bowlers picked up two wickets in their opening spell, Bell bowling all the way through to finish with 2-45 off his 12 tight overs.

At 63-4 after 15 overs, Brooke were looking to do nothing else but save the game, but Redditt and Bennett put on a spirited stand of 66 until Williamson had Redditt caught at midwicket for 32. This was to be followed three balls later by Bennett being cleaned up by the returning, fired-up West.

However Andrews, along with Gray, showed a lot of fight, and despite Williamson managing to pick up four wickets, Brooke hung on for a losing draw. Diss A 267-5 (46 overs) Brooke A 201-9 (46 overs).