Tough start for Diss CC

Diss CC's first team, after losing their first Alliance Premier Division game of the season at Acle, will hope for better this Saturday when they host Lowestoft (1pm) at Rectory Meadow.

After two good pre-season warm-up victories, Diss travelled to Acle for their opening league fixture and fell short by 66 runs.

Winning the toss and electing to field seemed a reasonable decision, with the ever-improving Germon taking the first three wickets cheaply, and when Rob Tooke trapped Wilson leg before for nine, Diss looked to be up and running.

However, Acle opener Porter had other ideas and holding firm, produced an intelligent innings of 122, which was an inspiration to any budding batsman on either side.

Defending any good deliveries, he attacked the bad ball with relish, as his 18 boundaries testified, and only the recall of Germon saw him fall to a decent catch behind the stumps by keeper Weal.

Handley and Mundford weighed in with a late innings flourish and only a beautiful spell of 13 overs by Rob Tooke (2-27) kept the score to reasonable proportions.

Wicket keeper Weal was outstanding, as he did not concede a bye, despite some wayward leg-side bowling.

In reply, Diss lost Wilby and Rush early on, but Dave Tooke and Will Dawson both looked comfortable getting into their 30s, only to undo the good work with disappointing dismissals.

Rob Tooke produced a cultured 20 and Ben Spinks, as neat as ever, looked solid for his 24, only getting out when he tried to up the tempo in a bid to earn extra batting points.

Disappointingly, the final three batsmen succumbed cheaply, despite a late and belligerent knock by Gooderham, and Diss were finally all out for 163 with a couple of overs remaining.

The pick of the Acle bowlers was South African Nel, who with less than 24 hours in the country, impressed with a match-winning five for 35.

Rob Tooke was again Diss man of the match with his all-round display. Acle got 25 points to six for Diss.