Dereham slumped to a disappointing home defeat against Topcroft, writes Neal Widdows.

Captain Duncan Hewitt opted to bowl first on Saturday and a decent bowling display saw Dereham restrict the visitors to 201-8. Hewitt, Soren Gauntlett and Jake Anema shared two wickets apiece, with James Harbour and Bradley Raper picking up the other wickets to fall.

In reply, Dereham appeared to be in control at 88-1, with Hewitt (62) recording his third successive half-century. However, a middle order collapse put Dereham in real trouble and despite a defiant 34 not out from Joe Marczewski, they were dismissed for 155, 46 runs short of their target.

It was Dereham's third defeat in four Dipple & Conway Opticians Norfolk Alliance Division One matches this season. They will aim to bounce back at Lowestoft Town on Saturday.

Division Six Dereham A also suffered defeat in a high-scoring game against Hales and Loddon.

Captain Tom Head won the toss and elected to bowl first, but a poor bowling and fielding display on an excellent batting wicket saw Hales post 265-7 from their 45 overs. Head (1-24) was the only bowler to escape with any major credit, though Ryan Fitt and Andrew Marshall picked up two wickets apiece.

In reply, Sam Widdows (49) led a positive reply, but a middle order collapse put paid to any chances of a successful run chase. However, an impressive effort from the tail resulted in a half-century from Stuart Darbyshire (57), ably supported by Liam Jarvis with a quick-fire 31 not out, as Dereham's second-string – who host Diss A at the weekend – secured maximum batting points for their efforts, finishing on 226-9.

Norfolk League Level Four South West Dereham B secured their first win of 2016 with a 26-run success against Diss B.

A 50-run 10th-wicket stand between Josh Rowe (32) and Alex Johnson (13no) helped push Dereham up to a defendable total of 141 all out.

Rowe then got to work in the Diss innings to finish with outstanding figures of 6-18 from his 10 overs.

With able support from the rest of the Dereham attack, it was left to Leigh Johnson to take the final wicket and seal an outstanding victory for a young Dereham side. They return to action at Hardingham B this weekend.

There was also good news for Dereham's Mid-Norfolk Sunday League Burgess Shield Division Two side at Brooke.

David Lake (98), Harbour (51), Sam West (59) and Steven Guy (39) were the main protagonists in a very healthy 277-4.

Jarvis, Neal Widdows and Declan Bonus took two wickets apiece as Brook were bowled out for just 93.

Dereham visit Martham on Sunday.