As the sun comes down on a summer's Saturday evening, there is only one topic of discussion in the Tooke family – cricket.

Father Mike has been a mainstay in Diss Cricket Club's first team for 34 years, the last decade of which has been alongside his sons, Rob and Dave.

All three Tookes have captained the Rectory Meadow-based side, with Dave the current incumbent, and there is a passionate rivalry and, inevitable banter, between the trio.

"We will argue about someone dropping a catch, who scored the most runs or who hit the best six," said Dave, 23, about their post-match discussions.

"Mum just goes off to bed – she's had enough after about ten minutes. Sometimes we will keep chipping away at each other until the next Saturday."

Or in some cases, for years.

The fact Dave was hit for six off the last ball in the national Kwik Cricket finals at Edgbaston in 1994, denying Diss Junior School victory, is still quickly recalled by the siblings.

Mike got the ball rolling, playing for the Diss first team, in 1974 and it was not long before his two sons joined him pitch side for impromptu games with friends.

Rob made the jump up to the first team when he was 15 and two years later, Dave did the same.

Not that there was ever been any nepotism at work, it fact it has been the direct opposite.

"I had to be pushed to bring David into the team at 15, as he was quite a small lad at the time," said Mike, 53.

"Robert was brought in by Ian Leggett, who was captain. But with all due respect, they've always picked themselves because they are two of the best we've got.

"When they first came into the team, I was more conscious of them playing. When they're batting, you're batting with them and getting nervous for them.

"That's the hard part. But my wife gets it three times over."

Mike's wife Carol refuses to be a cricket widow and has always got involved helping at Rectory Meadow on match days, whether making the teas or moving the sight screens. Youngest daughter Susie, 20, has also lent a helping hand with refreshments.

All-rounder Rob, 25, enjoys playing the sport he loves side-by-side with his father and young brother. He said: "I think it's really good seeing my little brother standing there and my old man still there - we can't get rid of him!

"He must be doing something right though, to be still playing at his age. I just hope I can play as long as he does."

The family patriarch was captain at Rectory Meadow, on and off, from 1983 until 2001.

His oldest son took on the responsibility in 2004 and 2005, and his youngest son is now in his second successive season of directing proceedings on the pitch.

But when Dave needs a sounding board for any ideas on the pitch, it is the wise old head of his father rather than his 'laid back' brother that he will turn to.

"Dad and me think in a similar way," said Dave.

"We're more batsmen orientated.

"Rob is so laid back, whereas me and Dad are more intense when we play cricket. We all get on pretty well which is handy; if we didn't it would be a bit more difficult.