Diss 22 - 5 North Walsham

North Walsham arrived at Diss missing several first team players and a squad of only 14. It is greatly to their credit that they turned up and put in such a spirited display. Diss players Leo Sargeant, Sam Geard and Sam Burnett are also to be praised for playing parts of the match for Walsham and performing so well for their new team-mates.

The game overall was a scrappy affair with several stoppages for injuries. Diss got off to a sluggish start and a palm back at an uncontested lineout led to a turnover and a Walsham try (0-5). Diss established a foothold in the contest with some crunching tackles by Harvey Newton and midway through the half a solid scrum and quick hands by Leo Sargeant and Dom Bell-Tye saw Toby Drake released for a try in the corner (5-5). The simplicity of this move was repeated shortly afterwards as a strong burst by Lewis Rendell and quick hands by the backs saw Drake again touching down (HT 10-5).

In the second half Diss gradually asserted their authority and their own try line was very rarely threatened. Swift hands along the back line allowed Newton to burst a tackle for a try beneath the posts, converted by Aaron Frith, (17-5) and following a lengthy injury break another flowing move saw Lewis Brighton held up over the line. However, a sniping run by Frith from the resulting scrum completed the scoring (22-5). The match ended with Diss pressing and Toby Drake, Harry Williamson and Ollie Stimson were all thwarted by last ditch (occasionally rather high) tackles, a credit to the hard pressed Walsham defence (FT 22-5).

There were good performances throughout the Diss team. Thomas Lymbery, Sam Burnett, Leo Sargeant, Harvey Newton and Toby Drake were all chosen for mention by the Coach. However, it was the ubiquitous Sam Willett, putting in possibly his best performance for the club, who was selected as Player of the Day.

There were very good individual performances on display and it is really difficult to pick out anyone who did not play well. The only frustration was that with so much good rugby being played, the victory margin was not greater. Better support play, better decision making and more precision when breaks are made will undoubtedly push the team on to the next level.