Old Bucks get better of Diss
Diss (98) dropped into the Norfolk Cricket Alliance Premier Division relegation zone after losing by 151 runs at home to neighbouring Old Buckenham 249-5 on Saturday.
Hosting skipper Mark Williamson lost the toss and the away side decided to bat first on a good pitch with a speedy outfield.
Despite some good tight blowing from openers Eli Meenhorst (0-61) and Daniel Taylor (0-36), Diss were unable to make a breakthrough as Bucks openers Matthew Bint and Ben Shearing cashed in.
They pushed their side well over the 100 mark and both passed their half centuries before Bint (56) was caught behind off Chris Cooper (2-52).
Shearing (69) followed soon after, trapped lbw by Cooper, who was the pick of the Diss bowlers.
Also, new man Amith Sarma was bowled by Sam Hunt (1-53) for 9, and Diss were beginning to drag the Bucks total back.
Nevertheless, they still progressed at a considerable rate through Rob Thurley (34), Thomas Bart (37no) and Glen Meredith (15), which helped them to a total of 249-5.
Williamson (1-41) bowled impressively, taking the wicket of Thurley, and Meredith was run out.
Diss began their daunting chase in strong fashion, as openers Mark Brawn (23) and Chris Cooper (27) played the Bucks openers well, guiding Diss to 47-0 off 10 overs.
However, the wicket of Brawn to Chris Howes sparked a major collapse for the home side.
Cooper was bowled by Rob Austin (2-9), and Meenhorst (3) followed shortly after.
Despite some resistance from Lewis Taylor (23), the rest all fell relatively cheaply, with Chris Howes picking up 4-17, and Thurley 3-22, as Diss were bowled out for just 98 in 32.4 overs.
Williamson’s men, who have now lost five games in a row, are second from bottom in the table.
Tomorrow they have what looks to be a crucial clash at their Rectory Meadow base when Acle will be their visitors (12pm).
Acle, who have won just once this season, are bottom of the standings, 23 points adrift of Diss.
Fifth-placed Old Buckenham, meanwhile, travel to the side directly below them in the table – Brooke (12pm).
The two sides go into the contest separated by just five points.
l Garboldisham (153) slipped to a five-wicket defeat at home to league-leading Downham Town (155-5).
Stand-in Garboldisham captain Henry Phoenix won the toss and elected to bat first, but while he scored 50, the majority of the home team’s batting line-up were unable to deliver significant contributions to the cause.
Matt Allin (25), Kieran Pask (19) and Andrew Whistler (17) were the only other Garboldisham batsmen to score double figures, with the extras column their third highest run contributor.
Tom Alexander bowled particularly well in Garboldisham’s defence, ending with figures of 2-15 from his five overs.
However, it was enough to prevent Downham from reaching their victory target in 38 overs for the loss of five wickets.
Garboldisham (9th) will look for a quick turnaround tomorrow when they play host to eighth-placed Cromer (12pm).
There are currently just two points between them.
