Lowestoft Town's mini revival came to a grinding halt on Saturday when they were beaten by the form side in Division One of the Norfolk Alliance.

They went down by 102 runs as hosts Dereham turned another excellent all-round performance to record a sixth successive win.

After opening their campaign with a couple of defeats Duncan Hewitt's side are now second in the table, 26 points behind leaders Diss with a game in hand.

Hewitt made 113 and Jonny Bidwell 54 as Dereham reached an impressive 273-7 in their 50 overs against a side who had won their previous two games to climb off the bottom of the table.

The total proved to be more than enough, with Lowestoft being dismissed for 171 in reply (Jake Anema 4-34).

Lowestoft were always struggling after losing their first four wickets with only 35 runs on the board and it took a couple of good knocks down the order from Craig Guy (44) and Jordan Neasmith (42 not out) to make it reasonably respectable.

With Mattishall claiming a surprise win against Swardeston A Lowestoft are back at the bottom of the table ahead of tomorrow's clash against the leaders at The Denes Oval (1pm).

Diss went marching on at the top as they saw off Norwich A by five wickets.

Martin Greiller and Tom Goodley both made half centuries in Norwich's total of 221-9 which was chased down with some ease by Diss thanks in no small part to an excellent 95 from David Tooke.

Swardeston got up to 231 against Mattishall, with Norfolk player Matthew Taylor making 81, but again it wasn't enough as Ryan Hawkins (78) and Jason Cole (66 not out) starred in an impressive run chase that saw the home side finish on 234-6 in the 42nd over.

The top individual scoring feat of the weekend came at Bradfield where Stow's Keith Thompson made a magificent unbeaten 173. That helped the visitors up to 338-3, with Bradfield being skittled out for 116 in reply.

In Division Five Lowestoft A recorded an exciting eight run victory at The Denes Oval against Mattishall A.

After making a solid 218-9 in their 45 overs (Damian AbeyRatna 40) they looked to be heading for defeat as the visiting openers got off to an impressive start.

But with Phil Nunn taking 5-26 the visitors were eventually dismissed for 210 in the 42nd over. It's Old Catton away tomorrow.