Newmarket 20: 0 Diss

Diss took on Newmarket in glorious conditions for rugby and the evenly matched teams put on an absorbing display.

The game ebbed and flowed in the first half with good intentions and exciting attacks being thwarted by solid defence or errors at critical moments. There were few scoring opportunities and the only try of the half came when Newmarket wrong footed the Diss defence and crossed for a try in the corner (5-0). A spell of concerted Diss pressure ended with Harry crossing for a try next to the posts, only for it to be (incorrectly) disallowed for picking up at the base of the scrum (HT 5-0). The ref's apology at half-time could not reinstate the impetus that would otherwise have been with the visitors, but sometimes mistakes happen.

In the second half Newmarket gradually gained the ascendancy. They matched the efforts of the Diss forwards and attempted to use their backs at every opportunity. Most of the best Diss moments were in defence but even this was not enough midway through the half as the ball was spread wide by Newmarket and bundled over the line by their forwards (10-0).
A last ditch tackle by Tyler prevented a further score and there were strong break-outs by Sam Geard and Harvey to relieve the pressure

The third Newmarket score was probably the move of the match as they won a line-out and moved the ball through their backs for their talented fly-half to race to the line (15-0). With confidence growing, a flowing move by the hosts saw them cross in the corner to add a slightly flattering gloss to the final score (FT 20-0).

This was a close contest and there were many strong performers in the Diss line-up. The backs were well organised and certainly made life difficult for the talented Newmarket three-quarters. Both Will and Charlie put in assured performances at full back. The forwards were well matched, with Newmarket winning the only scrum against the head and Diss perhaps edging the line-outs. In a game of small differences, the Newmarket forwards were probably a bit more mobile and quicker to the breakdown than their Diss counterparts and their tackling of the big Diss forwards was exemplary.

This was another very solid performance by the Diss team. Minor quibbles would be a slight lack of incisiveness in attack (lots of hammer but not much rapier!) and a lack of support play by the forwards. However, they can all be very proud their efforts and Diss ended the match encamped in their opponent’s half.
Many players competed strongly for the honour, but Tyler was chosen as the Player of the Day for his non-stop effort and unselfish, hard work amongst the forwards.