Diss set example to follow

Old Buckenham are likely to have their Norfolk Cricket Alliance Premier Division relegation rubber stamped at home to neighbouring Diss tomorrow (12pm).

And batsman Matt Bint believes that the weekend’s visitors should act as a source of inspiration for his side as they prepare for life in Division One.

Last weekend’s 175-run defeat at Cromer confined Old Buckenham to the bottom two, with any slim chance of survival being ended were they to lose on Saturday.

Victory – and a defeat for second-from-bottom Acle – would move Old Buckenham off the basement and provide a glimmer of hope, though that would also rely on league-leading Fakenham being promoted to the East Anglian Premier League, meaning just one side would go down.

Diss know about the sinking feeling of relegation all too well, but after falling through the trap door in 2016, Mark Williamson’s men were promoted at the first time of asking and have since re-established themselves back in the Premier Division.

Asked if Diss have set the example to follow, Bint said: “We have some good young players at the club and hopefully this experience will hold them in good stead.

“A lot of them have been playing from the start of the season because we have had a lot of injuries.

“So they have plenty of first-team experience and had a taste of what it is like at the top level.

“Diss showed the way to do it last year. They went down and rebuilt things a bit, and this year put a five-match winning run together that only ended recently.

“We have to do it our own way as well of course, but we can see it can be done.

“Everyone is very disappointed because we have been in the division a long time, but now it is about bouncing back.”

As well as an unlikely escape, Old Buckenham also have the final of the NACO Cup against North Runcton on their agenda on Sunday at Acle Cricket Club (11am).

And opener Bint is keen for the team to end a disappointing campaign on a positive note.

“We do not want to finish last, and not just because of Fakenham and the EAPL situation,” he added.

“I honestly do not believe we are the worst side in the league so it would be nice to show that.

“We also have the cup final. The club has not won any silverware at senior level for a while and I have never won anything with the adult teams, so it would be good to put that right.

“We know all about North Runcton’s strengths and we should have a good side out for the game.”

l Old Buckenham are hosting a silent auction to raise funds for a defibrillator, with the items on offer including a signed bat by England international Jos Buttler.

Fore more information visit oldbuckenhamcricketclub.teamapp.com