Diss Under 15’s Triumph in Europe

The conclusion of a successful season as the under 15’s ended with the much anticipated Holland tour for the Norfolk Champions. The boys had a friendly against Rotterdam on the Saturday, before the Hilversum Festival the following day, over Easter Weekend. Good Friday was a quiet day and as there were no games the boys were able to explore the area, before a 10 pin bowling competition, followed by Pizza and an early night to ensure readiness for the big days ahead.

Diss 39 : Rotterdam 14

We were met by our hosts on arrival and treated royally for the whole day. Rotterdam showed from the off that this was not going to be an easy game and in the first half it was fairly evenly contested. Diss were fitter however and overwhelmed the opposition in the second half. Tries: Alex Warmes, Chris Davies, Joe Hegarty (3), Charlie Hay and Alex Leeder. Cons: Hayden Watling, Hegarty. The boys were fed and had an opportunity to watch some games in the older age groups, while the adults had a couple of drinks with our hosts which were most welcome after the previous abstemious night. Burgers on the way home and a second early night followed.

At the start of the festival there were around 70 teams, including 16 teams at under 15’s level, who were split into 4 pools.

Diss 12 : Haagsche RFC 0

Unfortunately our first game was cancelled as the opposition (Medway B) had pulled out due to injuries from their previous days ‘friendly’ match, so it was 12.45 before Diss lined up against Haagsche from The Hague.
It proved time for the traditional slow start and Diss were in all sorts of problems in the first half. Better performances in the second half produced 2 tries for Hegarty, one converted by Watling.

Diss 14 : Horsham 0

This was a bit more like it from Diss, against a large and competitive Horsham. Good forward play and excellent defence repelled repeated attacks and the boys seemed much hungrier for the ball than they were in the first match. Hegarty scored twice, both converted by Leeder. There followed a long wait while the judges worked out which of the original teams were to play for first and second place and which were to play for third and fourth, using a points scored / conceded system.

Diss 7 : Old Albanians 0

The final it was then. Old Albanians, champions of Hertfordshire lined up and looked pretty formidable. They had several danger men according to the Hitchin team, who turned up to support Diss (Old Albanians being their bitter local rivals). A good early move passing the ball all the way down the backline put Luke Miller in at the corner and Leeder landed a superb conversion from out wide. 2 minutes gone and 7-0 up. Old Albanians were not going to give up and a very physical encounter ensued, with one of their players even being yellow carded. The Diss defence was tested to the limit but held out magnificently, several big tackles going in to thwart the opposition at key moments. Old Albanians almost broke out near the end but Diss forced a scrum, which they won and the ball was kicked out to end the game. Diss European Champions! A real team effort, in which all boys played their part.

Another early night, after all the excretions was the order of the day for the boys, and at last the coaches and parents allowed themselves a beer each then shared a bottle of wine and reflected on a successful tour. The general consensus was that the responsible attitude of all the boys, without exception coupled with their willingness to keep the apartments tidy, behave themselves to the highest standard at all times and always do exactly what they were told, made the tour the success it was-and winning the cup and becoming the champions of Europe of course.

So another season flashes by. The most successful to date in terms of not only boys wishing to play for the team but matches and competitions won. I imagine that the boys learned a lot from this tour. Several awards were presented on the boat on the way back, some more complimentary than others and too many to list. I’m sure your sons will inform you what category they won. Under 16’s Rugby for the lad’s next year. More adventures to come I wonder?