Dereham made it back-to-back wins in Division One of the Norfolk Alliance on Saturday when they came through a dramatic encounter against Diss.

Duncan Hewitt's side could only reach 135 at Rectory Meadow, but that low total proved just enough in the end as Diss fell an agonising two runs short in reply.

After winning the toss Hewitt opted to bat first but it was tough going, with the home bowlers keeping a tight grip on proceedings.

Jack Anema (24) and David Lake (23) were the main contributors as the visitors were bowled out in the 44th over.

Diss must have fancied their chances in reply but the Dereham bowlers were also in top form and kept chipping away with wickets.

Robert Tooke played an excellent knock of 57 but he lacked support and his side were dismissed for 133 off the third ball of the final over, with Anema running out last man Sam Hunt for a duck to seal the win.Anema had earlier taken 3-24 while the most successful Dereham bowler was James Harbour who weighed in with 4-37.

The win took Dereham, who lost their opening two games, up to seventh in the table ahead of a tough home match on Saturday against early pacesetters Bradfield, who have won their opening four fixtures since promotion (1pm).

Bradfield's superb start to the season continued when they cruised past a struggling Mattishall side by eight wickets.

They bowled their visitors out for just 99 (Ben Parkyn 36 not out) and then got home in some comfort, with Chris Scannell getting a half century. They are now 19 points clear of Thetford, who were denied a chance of notching a fourth straight win of their own when their game at Stow was abandoned.

Mattishall are bottom after losing each of their opening four games. They will be trying to do something about that on Saturday when they host Vauxhall Mallards A.

In Division Six there was another exciting game between Dereham and Diss at second team level. Dereham were bowled out for 126, with Diss then getting home by one wicket.

Dereham A are away to Topcroft A on Saturday.