Diss continue to falter while rivals Old Buckenham flourish

Diss Cricket Club’s poor start to the new Norfolk Alliance Premier Division season continued on Saturday as they slipped to a second successive, going down to Brooke.

Brooke set a reachable target of 129 but Diss struggled in reply, mustering just 100 to lose by 29 runs with the result leaving them bottom of the bottom of the table.

In stark contrast, Old Buckenham (247-9) have enjoyed a perfect start to the campaign and sealed a memorable second successive win, overcoming reigning champions Downham Town (123) in a one wicket victory.

The result leaves Bucks second in league just four points behind early pace setters Fakenham.

In the Sky Bet Championship, Ipswich Town and Norwich City’s battle for a place in the play-off final remains finely poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the semi-finals.

The East Anglian rivals met at Portman Road on Saturday and it was the visitors Norwich who took the lead through Jonny Howson.

However, substitute Paul Anderson struck moments before the interval to keep the tie evenly matched ahead of the second leg at Carrow Road on Saturday (12.15pm).