A shambolic performance saw Dereham lose to Alliance Division Two promotion rivals Saham Toney by 58 runs at Norwich Road.Having surrendered top spot to Sheringham the previous weekend, Dereham again crumbled against one of the league's stronger sides in a display which was totally lacking in discipline and application.

A shambolic performance saw Dereham lose to Alliance Division Two promotion rivals Saham Toney by 58 runs at Norwich Road.

Having surrendered top spot to Sheringham the previous weekend, Dereham again crumbled against one of the league's stronger sides in a display which was totally lacking in discipline and application.

The match was reduced to 30 overs following rain and Dereham skipper Duncan Hewitt elected to bowl first on the damp surface.

Gary Starling and Andy Lawrence bowled steadily early on and Saham Toney's Australian, G Maxwell, was dropped after skying the ball high to mid-off. Lawrence had Wood caught behind for 11 in the fifth over, but Dereham's effort steadily unravelled and the visiting batsmen took full advantage, with Maxwell particularly dominant.

They cruised to 89-1 and were well on course for a total above 200 before Joe Marczewski rescued Dereham with an inspired spell of bowling.

He removed Maxwell for 58 and went on to claim 3-31 from his eight overs, while Aaron Garner picked up four wickets in three overs as Dereham fought their way back.

Saham Toney were all out for 144 in the 28th over, leaving Dereham an extra two overs to reach their target.

Openers Hewitt and Tom Wallace began promisingly, but teenager Wallace was bowled by Will Dyer in his first over with the score on 16.

Tom Smart then removed Phil Banyard and Lawrence in the same over, and when Cameron Brown was farcically run out without facing a ball, Dereham were 30-4.

Hewitt followed immediately afterwards before Marczewski briefly threatened to repeat his bowling heroics with the bat. He produced a hook shot for six and next ball he lofted a straight four, but two balls later was caught off a leading edge.

Max Cheetham was one of the few Dereham batsmen to show the necessary application before he became one of Dyer's three victims.

Last man Tom Head provided some lusty hitting to top score with 24, and was the last man to go as Dereham were bowled out for 86.

Dereham's performance prompted a lengthy team meeting after the game and they head to Swardeston A on Saturday needing a positive result to put their season back on track.