THE difficult run of games which Diss have endured over the last few weeks continued as they faced Vauxhall Mallards at Brundall on Saturday. Unfortunately Diss couldn't put back-to-back wins together, as they came up just short against an extremely strong Mallards team, but still battled their way to a valuable losing draw.

THE difficult run of games which Diss have endured over the last few weeks continued as they faced Vauxhall Mallards at Brundall on Saturday.

Unfortunately Diss couldn't put back-to-back wins together, as they came up just short against an extremely strong Mallards team, but still battled their way to a valuable losing draw.

Skipper, Simon Cooper, won the toss and inserted Mallards into bat. Diss knew that it would be hard to restrict run scoring on a flat pitch, as well as Brundall being the smallest ground in the league.

Mallards opened with ex-professional, Steve Goldsmith, and Diss old boy, Hamish Barton. The pair set about the Diss bowling from the off, and despite a tidy opening spell from Germon there was little Diss could do to stem the flow of runs.

Goldsmith, in particular, was in belligerent mood, and brought up an incredible hundred within 25 overs, with the score on 158.

Eventually, with the score on 213, Diss grabbed their first wicket as Barton (69) was well caught by Gooderham in the deep off Simon Cooper's bowling. They didn't have to wait long for their second as Simon Cooper picked up another wicket, with Will Dawson, deputising behind the stumps, taking a smart catch to see the back of Goldsmith for a breathtaking 135.

The rest of the Mallards batting had little to worry about after such a perfect start, and were able to wildly attack the bowling. Classy South African, Arendse, finished on 64 not out as Mallards eventually declared on a daunting 340 for 5.

Simon Cooper was the pick of the Diss bowlers finishing with very respectable figures of 3-57.

The Diss reply showed why they have been such a hard side to beat this year as they battled all the way to

285-8. Openers Simon Cooper and Henry Rush started positively as they brought up their fifty partnership in the tenth over.

Rush (31) was the first to fall, with Goldsmith trapping him lbw. David Tooke continued his fine form as he and Cooper shared a fantastic hundred run partnership.

Simon Cooper was run out for a classic 65, only to be followed immediately by David Tooke (43), bowled; again the tormentor was Goldsmith. The Diss middle order showed some vulnerability, as Will Dawson (1), Chris Cooper (2), and Benji Spinks (0) all fell in quick succession. Rob Tooke produced a typically aggressive 22, but on 200 for 7 with 12 overs still to play Diss were starting to worry.

They needn't, as firstly Mark Williamson produced a gem of an innings, smashing 26 off just 12 balls, and Mike Tooke waltzed his way to a dreamy run-a-ball 53 not out, and along with Chris Germon played out the last few overs for a losing draw.

For his all round captain's performance, Simon Cooper picked up the Diss man-of-the-match award.

Scores: Vauxhall Mallards 340-5 (S Cooper 3-57, C Cooper 2-65), drew with Diss 285 for 8 (S Cooper 65, M Tooke 53no).